Feb. 24, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Jareica Hughes scored 23 points and had nine assists to lead No. 19 UTEP to an 89-74 victory Sunday, clinching the Miners' first regular season Conference USA championship in their 34-year history.

The victory was the 19th straight for the Lady Miners (23-2, 14-0) who haven't lost since Dec. 1, to Kansas State. UTEP's only other loss came to Nebraska in its season opener in early November.

UTEP handed UCF (9-18, 2-12) its 12th loss in its last 14 games.

The Lady Miners led by 15 points at halftime. An 11-0 UCF run cut UTEP's advantage to 56-52 with 13:09 remaining, but it was as close as the Lady Knights would get.

Kasia Krezel and Natasha Lacy each added 15 points for UTEP. Izabela Piekarska had 14 points and six rebounds and Tamika Williams added 11 points and six rebounds.

UCF Freshman Marshay White tied a career high with 23 points before fouling out with 58 seconds left. Tia Lewis finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, Emma Cannon scored 12 points and had six steals and Chelsea Wiley added 11 points.