UTEP Women Rout Western New Mexico 100-64
Seven Miners scored in double figures as UTEP opened its 2026-27 season with a 36-point win at GECU Arena.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
UTEP women's basketball defeated Western New Mexico 100-64 on Monday night at GECU Arena in the 2026-27 season opener. The Miners reached 100 points for the second consecutive season, with all players who saw action scoring.
Why it matters
The lopsided opener gives El Paso fans an early look at a roster with multiple newcomers making immediate contributions. Reaching the 100-point mark again signals strong offensive output for the home team heading into its next games.
UTEP shot 60.0% from the field (39-of-65) against Western New Mexico's 35.3%, a 36-point margin that ended at 100-64. The source does not indicate how this shooting efficiency compares with the team's prior-season average.
The players
UTEP Women's Basketball
The University of Texas at El Paso's women's basketball program, which competes in Conference USA and plays its home games at GECU Arena.
Zainab Olalekan
A UTEP guard who led the Miners with 19 points and seven rebounds in her first game with the program.
The details
Zainab Olalekan led UTEP with 19 points and seven rebounds in her Miners debut, while Krista Lukasevica added 14 points and five rebounds in her collegiate debut. UTEP built its early advantage with a 14-0 run in the opening quarter and finished with 43 rebounds.
Timeline
Dec. 29, 2025: UTEP scored 102 points in a win over the University of the Southwest, its previous 100-point game.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: UTEP defeated Western New Mexico 100-64 in the season opener at GECU Arena.
Season Trajectory
The opener extends UTEP's recent run of 100-point games, with the program having reached the mark in its prior contest on Dec. 29, 2025. Early offensive production of this size sets a strong baseline for the Miners as they move into Conference USA play.
The Miners' next home game is Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. MT against Incarnate Word at GECU Arena. Fans and fantasy managers tracking UTEP's scoring can watch how the opening-night contributions of Olalekan, Lukasevica and Collazo hold up in the next outing.
The takeaway
Balanced scoring across the roster, with seven players in double figures, is a strong early sign for UTEP. Watching whether that depth holds against tougher opponents will show how sustainable the opener was.
What happens next
UTEP hosts Incarnate Word at GECU Arena on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. MT.
Further reading
Explore more Basketball coverage for El Paso-area context on the Miners' season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KVIA.
