Jan. 19, 2006
Contact: Kyle Stephens (210) 458-4907
Sam Houston State rallies for 71-63 victory over UTSA
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SAN ANTONIO – Senior Andre Owens matched his career high with a game-high 28 points, but Jejuan Plair poured in 23 to lead Sam Houston State from 13 down to a 71-63 victory over UTSA Thursday night at the Convocation Center.
UTSA (6-9, 1-3 SLC) led, 41-32, at the half and by 13 with 17:35 left to play, but Sam Houston ended the game on a 15-2 run to improve to 11-5 and 2-2.
Owens (right) put up 28 points for the third time this season, topping 20 points for the sixth time in the last seven games, and threw in six rebounds, three assists and two blocks while only committing one turnover. Sophomore Abe Donlon added 10 points and nine boards in just 20 minutes of action.
Plair scored 12 of his 23 points in the second half to lead the Sam Houston rally. Chris Jordan and John Gardiner added 11 apiece.
UTSA opened the second half on a 6-2 run behind a pair of buckets from Donlon and a jumper from junior Kurt Attaway in building a 47-34 lead. Sam Houston began to cut into the lead after switching to a zone defense, limiting the Roadrunners to just 23.1 percent shooting from the field in the half.
A Jeremy Thomas 3-pointer from the right wing cut the deficit to 52-46 with 14:30 remaining. A Plair lay-up and a John Gardiner free throw with 12:07 left pulled the Bearkats to within 53-51.
Sam Houston tied things up at 53-all on a Gardiner follow, capping a 7-1 run. UTSA began to pull away, gaining a 61-56 advantage on a lay-up by sophomore Roderick Rodgers at the 7:29 mark, but Sam Houston held the Roadrunners scoreless from the field for the remainder of the game.
Chris Jordan gave the Bearkats their first lead with a pair of free throws that made it 65-63 with 2:43 Left. Plair drained a three from the left wing at the 1:29 mark to push the lead to 68-63 with 1:31 left. Forced to foul, UTSA fell behind 70-63 after a pair of Jordan freebies. An Owens trey rimmed in and out with 31 seconds left, ending UTSA’s hopes. Plair tacked on one more free throw for the 71-63 final.
UTSA shot 51.5 percent from the field in the first half. Owens scored nine consecutive points during an 11-4 run to help stake the Roadrunners to a 27-20 lead through the first 12:26. UTSA extended the advantage to 33-24 on an Owens jumper, but Sam Houston fought back to within 33-30 on a Bright free throw at the 2:30 mark. The Roadrunners closed the half strong, using an 8-2 run behind two Owens 3-pointers and a Dwain Hall tip-in for a 41-32 lead at the break.
Junior forward Gabe Bernard missed the game due to an abdominal strain.
The Roadrunners hit the road Saturday, Jan. 21, for a 4 p.m. game at Stephen F. Austin.