EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- Natasha Lacy scored 23 points, Jareica Hughes added 20 and No. 24 UTEP won its 17th straight game with a 65-53 win over Rice on Saturday night.
Hughes added seven boards and five assists. Izabela Piekarska finished a rebound shy of a double-double, with 16 points and nine rebounds.The Miners (21-2, 12-0 Conference USA) trailed by one at the half, but outscored the Owls by 13 in the second half. UTEP held a 34-18 edge on points in the paint and a 26-7 edge in points off turnovers. The Miners forced Rice into 17 turnovers.Valeriy Berezhynska finished with 24 points and five rebounds for Rice (10-16, 3-9). She was the only Owl to score in double figures.Kadie Riverin had eight points and eight rebounds for Rice, while Morgan Mayse finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Tara Watts and Maudess Fulton grabbed six rebounds apiece.
