Kolliegbo Scores Season-High 22 Points as Women’s Basketball Drops CUSA Opener at UTEP

Friday, January 2

El Paso, Texas

9 PM

University of Delaware

6-7,0-1CUSA

UTEP

9-3,1-0CUSA

Delaware

UTEP

Photo by: Eli Vaupen

Kolliegbo Scores Season-High 22 Points as Women’s Basketball Drops CUSA Opener at UTEP

1/2/2026 11:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

EL PASO, Texas –Safi Kolliegbo scored a season-best 22 points as the University of Delaware women's basketball team lost at UTEP, 82-71, in its first-league game as members of Conference USA on Friday. The Fightin' Blue Hens fall to 6-7, 0-1 CUSA, while the Miners improve to 9-3, 1-0 CUSA.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS

UD went 14-for-15 (93.3-percent) at the charity stripe. It's the first time Delaware shot over 90 percent from the line since January 21, 2024 at North Carolina A&T, when it shot 100 percent.
Kolliegbo scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with five steals. It was the 10th time in her career she scored 20 or more points and it was her third-straight game scoring in double figures.
Kailah Correa contributed 17 points to go with four rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Ande'a Cherisier pulled down 10 rebounds for the fourth time this season and added eight points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Delaware took a 6-0 run into the first quarter media timeout, leading 13-8 with 4:58 to go in the opening frame. Behind a game-high nine points from Correa, UD held a 23-17 lead at the end of 10 minutes.
After the Hens went up by double digits, UTEP used a 10-0 stretch to even the game at 29. Delaware scored six-straight points in 49 seconds to regain the lead, 37-36. The Miners took the lead back heading into the locker room, 43-42.
UTEP outscored Delaware 25-16 in the third quarter, leaving a 10-point lead for the home team heading into the final frame.
With 3:37 left in regulation, Delaware trailed 75-65 as neither team scored a point for over two minutes of action. The Miners and Hens traded baskets the rest of the way, with UTEP hanging on for the victory.

GAME NOTES

Arantxa Portalez made her second-straight start.
Delaware's 42 first half points are its most in the first half this season.

UP NEXT
The Fightin' Blue Hens will travel to New Mexico State on Sunday, January 4. The game will be at 4 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.

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