Las Cruces, New Mexico – Rivalry week in the Borderland sees New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) facing off in men’s and women’s basketball this . The matchups, taking place at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, carry significant weight for both teams as they navigate the Conference USA (CUSA) tournament picture.
The women’s game tips off at , followed by the men’s contest at . Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+. The men’s game will also be carried on 99.5 KXPZ radio.
UTEP enters both contests with a series advantage this season, having secured victories in El Paso earlier in February. The UTEP women’s team defeated NMSU 79-69 on , while the UTEP men rallied to win 91-88 in overtime on , overcoming a ten-point second-half deficit. This weekend marks the rematch.
Women’s Basketball: Tournament Implications Loom
The women’s game holds particular significance for tournament seeding. NMSU currently occupies the final qualifying spot for the CUSA tournament, holding tenth place in the conference standings. However, UTEP is closely behind in eleventh place, trailing by only one game. A victory for the Miners in Las Cruces would not only complete a season sweep but also secure the head-to-head tiebreaker, potentially pushing NMSU out of contention.
Individually, the Aggies boast two of CUSA’s leading scorers. Forward Lucía Yenes ranks ninth in the conference, averaging 13.5 points per game, while guard Imani Warren is tied for tenth with 12.8 points per game. UTEP will counter with Mary Moses Amaniyo, who is fourth in CUSA with 8.6 rebounds per game.
Men’s Basketball: A Final CUSA Chapter
The men’s matchup also carries tournament implications, with both UTEP and NMSU currently holding the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. Recent results have seen NMSU climb from twelfth place, benefiting from losses by Delaware and Florida International earlier in the week. A win for either team could solidify their position in the tournament field.
Beyond the immediate tournament stakes, this weekend’s games mark the final matchups between the Miners and Aggies as members of CUSA. Both UTEP and NMSU are slated to depart the conference this summer, with UTEP joining the Mountain West Conference.
Honoring a Legacy: Sam Lacey’s Hall of Fame Induction
During halftime of the men’s game, New Mexico State will formally recognize the recent induction of Sam Lacey into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Lacey, a key member of the Aggies’ 1970 Final Four team, still holds school records for single-season rebounds per game (15.9) and career rebounds (493). The ceremony will include participation from Rob Evans, a former teammate and NMSU assistant coach, and Lacey’s daughter, Gretchen Downey.
The “Battle of I-10” extends beyond the court, representing a deeply ingrained rivalry between two universities and their communities. This weekend’s basketball games offer a compelling chapter in that ongoing story, with tournament berths and lasting legacies on the line.