LAS VEGAS, Nev. - UTSA picked up its second win of the season with a 70-62 victory against UNLV on Thursday night in the consolation game of the Duel in the Desert Tournament. The Roadrunners ended their four-game losing streak and improved to 2-8 with the eight-point victory, while the Lady Rebels saw their record drop to 4-6.
Senior Vivian Ewalefo, who named to the Duel of the Desert All-Tournament team, led four UTSA players in double figures with a game-high 18 points. Freshman Lynsey Freeman posted a career-high with 15 points, while junior Terrie Davis and sophomore Tia Bogan added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Ewalefo led the Roadrunners with a season-high 13 rebounds to record her first double-double of the year and Davis tied her career-high with seven assists.
Kisha Lee led UNLV with 18 points, while Brittany Halberg and Sequoia Holmes chipped in with 13 points apiece.
There were a total of 12 lead changes and five ties in the first half. UTSA grabbed an early 7-4 lead when Gibbs completed a three-point play with 16:34 to go in the first half. However, UNLV took its first lead of the game at 14-9 with the help of a 10-2 run. Davis’ fast break layup with less than 12 minutes to play in the frame gave the Roadrunners a 15-14 advantage.
Holmes buried a pair of free throw to give UNLV a 19-16 edge with 9:39 left in the half, but Ewalefo’s jumper and Davis’ two free throws gave UTSA back the lead, 20-19. Senior Ana Oliveira’s free throws sent the game into halftime tied at 31-31.
UTSA came out firing in the second half, shooting 57 percent from the floor. After UNLV scored the first four points to start the frame, the Roadrunners answered with an 8-0 run to go up by four (39-35). The Lady Rebels retook the lead courtesy of a 7-2 run (44-41), but it would be the last time they led. UTSA reclaimed the lead for good on a layup by Ewalefo with 11:07 to go. Holmes’ layup pulled UNLV within one at 56-55 with four minutes remaining, but UTSA went on a 14-7 run to seal the victory.
UTSA returns home to host the Wells Fargo New Year’s Classic on Dec. 29-30. The Roadrunners face Memphis on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
Duel in the Desert All-Tournament Team
Vivian Ewalefo, UTSA
Katie Gearlds, Purdue (Tournament MVP)
Tasha Harris, Boise State
Sequoia Holmes, UNLV
Erin Lawless, Purdue
Jessica Thompson, Boise State
