UTEP struggled with the mid-range jumper, and struggled from the free throw line, but got it done on the defensive end in the final quarter to finish off a talented Abilene Christian squad 66-62.
In the defensive process of picking apart the Wildcats down the stretch, UTEP broke the school record for steals in a season, they forced 18 turnovers which led to a 16-0 mark in fast break points, and simply wore down the shorthanded Wildcats' 10-girl rotation.
UTEP forced three turnovers on ACU's first three trips up the floor, and raced out to a 6-0 lead in the opening seconds of the game.