Kats end three-game skid with win over UTEP

Thursday, March 5

Huntsville

6:30 PM

17-11,10-7CUSA

UTEP

13-15,5-12CUSA

UTEP

Sam Houston

Kats end three-game skid with win over UTEP

3/5/2026 11:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston snapped its three-game skid with a 71–59 victory over UTEP on Thursday night inside Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats (17-11, 10-7 CUSA) battled the Miners (13-15, 5-12 CUSA) early before closing the first half on a 9-2 run to take an eight-point lead into the break. Sam Houston also forced UTEP into foul trouble, putting the Miners in the bonus for much of the second half and capitalizing at the free-throw line down the stretch.

Fanta Kone led the Bearkats with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists, marking her fourth 15-5-5 performance of the season. Whitney Dunn added 15 points and eight rebounds for her 12th double-figure scoring game of the year.

Annika Corcoran and Deborah Ogayemi chipped in 11 points each. Corcoran shot an efficient 4-of-6 from the field and went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Ogayemi, returning after missing the previous three games, went 3-of-5 from the floor and 5-of-8 at the free-throw line while also pulling down eight rebounds.

The performance marked the sixth time in conference play that four or more Bearkats scored in double figures.

Bearkats built a 34-26 advantage at halftime before UTEP opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run and outscored Sam Houston 17-14 in the period. The Bearkats responded with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Miners 23-16 to seal the victory. Sam Houston knocked down six three-pointers and shot 44.2 percent from the field in the contest.

Sam Houston controlled the glass with a 41–33 rebounding advantage, led by Nyla Inmon, Deborah Ogayemi and Whitney Dunn with eight rebounds apiece. The Bearkats also forced 20 UTEP turnovers, turning them into scoring opportunities, and recorded 10 steals with Inmon, Ogayemi and Dunn leading the defensive effort.

With the win, Sam Houston completed season sweeps of two conference opponents for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when the Bearkats swept Tarleton and Seattle U during their final year in the WAC.

Up Next

Sam Houston will close the regular season at home Saturday when they host New Mexico State. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on ESPN+.