Defense, rebounding, poise and grit can cover for a lot in basketball.
Specifically, for the UTEP women in a 53-47 victory over Cal State-Bakersfield Wednesday, succeeding in those areas covered for 1-of-20 3-point shooting and 19 turnovers.
UTEP overcame a five-point deficit in the fourth quarter, then got 6-of-8 free throws from Kataraina Zec in the last 25.7 seconds, including 5-of-6 in the final 3.5 seconds, to go to 2-0 in a game far closer than the score. Bakersfield coach Greg McCall was called for two technicals and ejected with 2.6 seconds left to account for the final margin.