'Finding my groove': Ivane Tensaie breaking out for UTEP women

The era of the transfer portal has changed the face of college basketball, but there is one thing the influx, the outflux, the ever-changing rosters can't alter.

Sometimes when a player is in a new place, there's going to be some adjustment time.

So it has been for UTEP's Ivane Tensaie. An NJCAA Freshman Player of the Year two seasons ago for North Dakota State College of Science, she was at Penn State last year and by resumé, seemed a most likely player to step right into a starring role when she arrived in El Paso.

More: CUSA women's basketball standings

That didn't happen right away. Tensaie's minutes varied from 35 against TCU to two against Colorado State, two games later. When Conference USA play began she was averaging 3.2 points per game.

When CUSA play began — it continues Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center against Louisiana Tech — could also be a good benchmark for when the light came on over Tensaie.

In her last three games the junior guard has averaged 11.7 points per game and is turning into the player Miners coach Keitha Adams spent the last several years recruiting.

"I'm finding my confidence, finding my groove," said Tensaie, who started last Saturday against Western Kentucky, her sixth start of the season. "I know my teammates and coaches have believed in me, they've been patient with me as I've been trying to work on my game.

"It was trying to focus on what I can do to be better. Try not to get caught up in minutes, all that. I knew if I kept working it would come as it would. Stay focused on the work, stay focused on the team, try to win games."

Her coach see's that coming.

"She's playing with more confidence," Adams said. "She's hit some shots for us and played well. The second half against Middle Tennessee, she came off the bench, stepped up and made some big plays.

"We need her to be better defensively, take good care of the ball and make plays on the offensive end.

"You've got new teammates, new coaches, it does take a little bit of time."

Tensaie's emergence comes at a good time for a team that looks to be improving. She adds a shooting dimension, as she's made 8-of-16 3-pointers in CUSA to improve her pecentage beyond the arc to 35%.

She was a 42% 3-point shooter in junior college when she averaged 20.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in her one season in North Dakota, but she rarely saw the floor last year at Penn State.

"Definitely my shooting ability, trying to stretch the floor," Tensaie said of her strengths. "It helps to make 3s, but also to stretch the floor for my teammates by being able to drive and get in the paint. Then to be solid on defense.

"Coming off a year where I didn't play as much, I've been trying to find my game again, that's what it was. I feel like I have with each passing week."

Tensaie is happy to be doing that at UTEP. After her stellar year in junior college Adams tried to recruit her to Wichita State, and while Tensaie chose the Big 10 and Penn State, a good relationship was forged.

When Penn State didn't work out, Tensaie jumped at the chance to play for Adams.

"When I was at JUCO I developed a relationship with coach Adams," Tensaie said. "Knowing her for a long time, I felt comfortable coming here. I trusted her as a coach.

"I love it, I'm super happy with my decision to come here. My teammates have been amazing, I love this city, the people have been great."

Said Adams: "She's a great young lady, great student, good person, high character, works hard every day, very coachable. She marks a lot of intangibles that you want in your locker room. A class act."

That looks like it is about to translate into some wins for a UTEP team that, like its junior guard, is rounding into form.

"It feels like we're turning a corner," Tensaie said. "We've figured out our chemistry a little bit, now it's down to being detailed, getting the 50-50 balls, the rebounds. Doing the little things it takes to win."

UTEP will try to turn that into something tangible against Louisiana Tech on Thursday.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

Louisiana Tech at UTEP women

What: A Conference USA women's basketball game

When, where: 7 p.m. Thursday, Don Haskins Center

Records: UTEP is 6-11 overall, 1-3 in CUSA; Louisiana Tech is 8-11, 2-2

Tickets: $8 and $12

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'Finding my groove': Ivane Tensaie breaking out for UTEP women