No. 24 UTEP 80, Houston 55

2/14/2008 10:39 PM

By ALICIA A. CALDWELL
Associated Press Writer

EL PASO, Texas (AP) -Izabela Piekarska scored 17 points for Texas-El Paso in the No. 24 Miners' 80-55 win over Houston on Thursday night.

The Miners (20-2, 11-0 Conference USA) extended their winning streak to 16 and took a three-game lead in the conference.

The Miners had three players in double-digits. Guard Natasha Lacy had 12 points and seven steals, while guard Jareica Hughes added 13 points and nine assists.

The Miners, ranked nationally for the first time in the program's 34-year history, were dominant, shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from 3-point range.

After Houston (14-11, 8-3) took an early 3-point lead, UTEP took control two minutes into the game and never looked back.

Heading into halftime, the Miners led by 21 and extended the gap to 30 with 13:17 left in the game.

Houston's freshman guard Courtney Taylor led the Cougars with 10 points.