EL PASO, Texas – UTEP picked up 24 votes, seven more than last week, while inching up to 30th in the latest Associated Press top-25 poll released Monday.

The Miners (24-2, 13-0 C-USA) went 2-0 on the road this past week, winning the games by a combined 30 points. They are ensured of at least a share of the 2012 C-USA title, and can win it outright with one more victory.

UTEP, which is in the midst of the second-longest winning streak in program history (14) games, has a pair of home games on tap this week. The Miners will play host to SMU at 7:05 p.m. MST Thursday. There will be free admission to the contest as part of the week-long celebration on campus for National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

In addition to getting move AP votes, senior forward Gloria Brown was named the league’s player of the week  buy C-USA officials.

Brown averaged 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals and three blocks in guiding the Miners (24-2, 13-0 C-USA) to a pair of road wins by a combined 30 points.

She opened up the week by posting her ninth double-double of the season (14 points, nine rebounds) in the 64-54 victory at Tulsa on Feb. 16. The Philadelphia, Pa., native also added a trio of blocks and a pair of steals in the contest.

Brown followed that up by pacing a quartet of Miners in double figures in the 71-51 conquest of Houston at Hofheinz Pavilion on Feb. 19. She tallied 14 points, grabbed six rebounds while also posting four steals and three blocked shots in just 16 total minutes of action.

It marks the fourth league weekly honor for Brown, and the second of her senior campaign.

Brown and the rest of the Miners will be in action at home twice this week. UTEP will play host to SMU at 7:05 p.m. MST Thursday. There will be free admission to the contest as part of the week-long celebration on campus for National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

The Orange and Blue will then challenge Rice in their “Senior Day” game at 2:05 p.m. MST Sunday. It will be the third and final “Grand Prize Giveaway Game” of the season, and one lucky fan will win an iPad2.

Courtesy UTEP Athletics