· Box score
NACOGDOCHES – UTSA hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final 28 seconds and held on for a historic 61-55 victory at Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night. It was the first victory in the program's history at William R. Johnson Coliseum.
UTSA improved to 8-12 overall and 4-4 in Southland Conference play, while SFA saw its record fall to 14-8 and 6-3.
The Ladyjacks, who trailed 51-36 with 7:16 remaining, went on a 17-4 run over the next 5:39 to cut the Roadrunners' lead to one at 54-53. A layup by senior Vivian Ewalefo with 47 seconds remaining extended the UTSA lead to three, but Martina Holloway trimmed the deficit back to one with a layup 12 seconds later. However, sophomore Monica Gibbs was good on 3-of-4 free throws the next two trips down the court and freshman Lynsey Freeman connected on a pair with one tick left to seal the historic, six-point victory.
Gibbs, who played all 40 minutes, led UTSA with 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Ewalefo added 12 points and seven boards, while senior Ana Oliveira came off the bench to score six points and grab five rebounds.
SFA was led by Evelyn Edwards’ 16 points. Charity Egenti and Nikki Carr added 11 apiece for the Ladyjacks.
The Roadrunners scored the game's first seven points, but Stephen F. Austin went on a 7-0 run to tie the game with 11:54 to go in the half. UTSA reclaimed the lead on back-to-back jumpers by Gibbs and Ewalefo, but the Ladyjacks used an 8-0 run to grab their first lead of the game with 8:05 remaining. The Roadrunners closed out the half on a 22-7 run to take a 32-22 halftime lead.
UTSA hits the road again next week for a two-game road swing in Louisiana that begins on Thursday, Feb. 8, at Southeastern Louisiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
