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SAN ANTONIO — UTSA got a season-high 16 points from sophomore Judy Jones, but it was not be enough, as Rice led from start to finish in a 71-46 victory on Friday night at the Convocation Center.
Jones went 6-for-12 from the floor and 4-for-5 from the free throw line to go along with seven rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks and a steal in 29 minutes off the bench. Freshman Kamra King joined her in double figures with 11 points to help lead the Roadrunners, who dropped to 4-9 on the year.
Meanwhile, Jessica Kuster led all scorers with 21 points in addition to a career-high 21 rebounds for the Owls (6-6).
Rice scored the game’s first five points on a 3-pointer from Candace Ashford and jumper by Kuster. UTSA tied things up when junior Whitney Wright connected from behind the arc followed by a Jones layup.
That was the only tie of the contest. The Owls recovered and pushed their lead to seven, 16-9, with 10 minutes to play in the half.
The Roadrunners pulled to within two twice on layups by Wright and Jones minutes later, but Rice then went on an 8-0 run for a double-digit lead (26-16). Free throws by junior Simone Young and Jones cut into the lead for a 31-23 score at the half.
Jones made it 33-28 and 35-30 with an old-fashioned three-point play and a jumper, respectively, in the opening minutes of the second frame, but that was as close as the Roadrunners got the rest of the way.
Rice scored the next six points for an 11-point lead and a late 9-0 run made it 61-40 with five minutes to play. The Owls cruised from there en route to the 25-point triumph.
King played all 40 minutes for the Roadrunners and tied her season high with four steals. The Norman, Okla., native also connected on 3-of-4 attempts from behind the arc and now has hit 10 of her last 14, dating back to a 3-for-4 performance against Creighton on Dec. 20.
UTSA will open Southland Conference play at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, when it hosts Sam Houston State (4-6).