In the most important ways, the UTEP women's basketball team can hope Thursday's 83-79 victory over Florida International can be a harbinger for the stretch run of a season that is getting close to a special place.
With the game hanging in the balance in the fourth quarter, with the Miners running a fine line between their first losing streak of the season and a milestone 18th victory, they made enough plays to take control, then barely enough free throws to finish.
The 18-8 record (11-6 in Conference USA) that came out of it represents the most victories in Kevin Baker's six-year tenure and kept their postseason hopes very much alive.