A quick glance at UTEP's 16-1 record after a 69-57 victory over 2-16 Florida International Saturday would seem to indicate a Miner team motoring along smooth waters.
The reality was far different and far more satisfying.
Forced to go without two of their top players, team leader Cameasha Turner and rapidly improving Chrishauna Parker, playing the second road game in three days, UTEP bolted out to a 24-5 lead and held the Panthers at arm's length the rest of the way to stay a perfect 7-0 in Conference USA play.
Parker's absence was expected, as she was back in Houston for her great-grandmother's funeral, but Turner was a late scratch because of concussion-like symptoms following a hard knock Thursday against Florida Atlantic.