UTSA men move to within one game of first place after 78-72 victory over Lamar

SAN ANTONIO - LeRoy Hurd scored 23 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as UTSA moved within one game of first place with one game to play in the regular season with a 78-72 victory over the Lamar Cardinals on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.

UTSA, 15-13 overall and 10-5 in Southland Conference play, will host first place Southeastern Louisiana (19-7, 11-4) on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Convocation Center. A win by the Roadrunners over the Lions would create a three-way tie for the regular season championship between UTSA, Texas-Arlington and Southeastern Louisiana. UTSA's last SLC regular season championship came in 1991-92.

On Wednesday, Justin Harbert backed Hurd by tying a career-high with 22 points for the Roadrunners. Hurd's double-double was his 12th this season.

Lamar, which fell to 11-17 and 5-10, was led by Raymond Anthony with 16 points, while Blake Whittle added 14.

UTSA led by as many as 18 points, 62-44 with 13:16 remaining after a layup by Harbert.

Lamar then went on a 22-4 run to tie the score 66-66 with 3:12 remaining on a three-point play by Jason Grant.

With the score tied at 68, Hurd answered with a 3-point field goal with 2:11 remaining that gave the Roadrunners the lead for good. A layup by David President pushed lead to 73-68 with 1:29 to play.

Lamar could get no closer that five points the rest of the way as UTSA connected on five of six free throws over the final minute.

"Quite frankly I was disappointed with the way we played tonight," UTSA coach Tim Carter said. "We didn't play smart basketball after we had built the lead and it almost cost us. We have to come ready to play on Friday. Tonight we were fortunate to get the win."

After trailing early, UTSA had rallied to take a 46-34 halftime lead behind 15 points by Harbert.

UTSA shot only 38.1 percent from the field in the game and had 20 turnovers. The Roadrunners outscored Lamar 21 to six at the free throw line.