After riding its defense to a sparkling non-conference run, the UTEP women's basketball team began New Year's the same way.
The Miners didn't dominate Rice in a 60-54 victory Friday because of some offensive struggles at the end of a two-week layoff. But defense, rebounding and solid play down the stretch added up to a road win in a Conference USA opener that moved UTEP to 10-1 overall and dropped Rice to 1-11.
"It was an ugly, ugly win but we're glad to get out with it," coach Keitha Adams said. "I was concerned with how we'd play after a stretch since we last played, that showed a little.