EL PASO, Texas – Jadyn Pimentel scored 17 points as the Roadrunners were upset 71-59 by UTEP Sunday afternoon at the Don Haskins Center.
UTSA made a comeback in the third quarter, but couldn't overcome a 10-0 start and 27 free throws from the Miners.
The Miners opened the game on a 10-0 run to gain an early advantage. Jadyn Pimentel broke the streak with a layup at the 5:40 mark to start a UTSA 6-0 run to bridge the gap to four (10-6) with 2:28 remaining. UTEP scored two free throws to extend the lead to six (12-6), but the Roadrunners followed with three consecutive free throws to trail by four (12-9) with 54 seconds remaining. The Miners closed out the quarter on a 7-1 run to lead 19-10.
For the first six minutes of the second, the teams battled for the ball as UTEP outscored UTSA by one (7-6) to lead 26-16 at the 4:00 mark. The Miners then hit a scoring surge to lead 33-16 with 1:44 remaining. In the final 45 seconds, each team scored three points as UTEP led 37-19 at the half.
Coming out of the locker room, the battle continued as both teams had scored 12 points each by the 5:08 mark. The Roadrunners then hit a scoring surge and went on an 11-1 run to close out the quarter and bridge the gap to 10 (54-44) going to the fourth.
The Roadrunners kept their momentum going as they opened with an 11-6 run in the final 10 minutes to close the gap to five (60-55) with 4:03 remaining. The Miners then hit a 7-0 run to extend the lead (69-57). In the last 12 seconds of the game, each team made two free throws as UTEP clinched the game.
The Roadrunners return to action Jan. 27 at FIU.
Notes
- UTSA is now 4-14 overall and 1-6 in conference
- Starters: Elyssa Coleman, Jadyn Pimentel, Queen Ulabo, Lapraisjah Johnson, Chantel Govan
- Jadyn Pimentel led the team with 17 points, while Elyssa Coleman grabbed eight boards
-UTSA-