| Freshman Jordan Stark posted her first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds on Thursday night. |
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ?
Freshman Jordan Stark posted her first career double-doublewith 14 points and a career-high 13 rebounds to help the UTSA women’sbasketball team remain unbeaten with a 63-59 victory over MissouriStateon Thursday night at the JohnQ.HammonsStudentCenter.With the win, the Roadrunners (6-0) are tied for the best start in school history since the 1996-97 season.
“We did the things we need to do in order to get this winagainst a good team.” head coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair said. “We showed a lotof patience on the offensive side and our free throw shooting was the key to this victory. The play of Jordanwas huge for us. She played great on both sides of the ball and rebounded theball well.”
Senior Amanda Foster led the Roadrunners with ateam-high 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field, while senior Terrie Davis added 12 points onthe night. Junior Monica Gibbsgrabbed a game-best 14 rebounds.
The Lady Bears (0-5) were led by Tahnee Balerio’s game-best17 points, while Jasmyne Watson chipped in with 13 for MissouriState.
UTSA jumped to the early 8-3 lead with 12:50 to go in thefirst half on a layup by freshman Whitney York. Meanwhile, Tiffany Coppage’smade consecutive 3-pointers to give MissouriState its first lead ofthe game at 11-10. The Lady Bears then extended their lead to 22-16 on a jumperby Balerio with 6:04 remaining. The Roadrunners pulled within one point at 22-21 when Foster completed a three-point play at the five-minute markand a pair of 3-pointers by Stark to close out the half gave UTSA a 31-28edge at intermission.
The Roadrunners increased their lead to 37-32 when sophomore Courtney Laingmade two free throws with 16:29 to play in the second half. MSU scored fourstraight points to cut the deficit to one with 14:18 to go. A quick run byUTSA pushed the lead to 44-38 at the 11-minute mark. However, MissouriState would again close the gap to 44-42when Jasmyne Watson made layup with 8:57 left and would be the closet MSU wouldget for the reminder of the game. The Roadrunners upped their lead to eight atthe four-minute mark and then iced the game with clutch free throw shooting(7-of-8) in the closing minutes to seal the four-point victory.
UTSA returns to action on Saturday at Tulsa. Tip-off is slatedfor 1 p.m. at the DonaldW.ReynoldsCenter.