SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Drexel used a 14-0 first-half run to take control and the Dragons beat UTSA, 64-37, in Thursday's Surf ‘N Slam at San Diego State consolation game at Viejas Arena.
Kamile Nacickaite led Drexel (8-3) with a game-high 16 points, while junior Ashley Gardner paced the Roadrunners (4-9) with nine.
After back-and-forth scoring in the opening minutes, the Dragons made their run, as they connected on seven of their first 14 shots to build a 19-4 lead.
Senior Amber Gregg’s layup ended an eight-minute scoring drought for UTSA.
The Roadrunners cut the deficit to 11 on a jumper by Gardner with a minute to go in the half before Jasmina Rosseel’s 3-pointer made it 31-17 at the break.
Drexel shot 50 percent (4-of-8) from behind the arc in the opening frame, while the Birds connected on just one of their nine attempts.
The Dragons extended their advantage by scoring the first six points of the second half before a layup by senior Ashleigh Franklin cut the run short.
UTSA switched to a full-court press midway through the half and held Drexel scoreless for more than three minutes. The pressure caused four missed shots and a turnover, but the Roadrunners managed only two points during that time.
The teams traded baskets the final four minutes and UTSA could get no closer than 16 in the second half.
Drexel shot 46 percent for the game, while the Roadrunners came in at a 25-percent clip.
The Roadrunners will open Southland Conference play at Sam Houston State (6-7) on Saturday, Jan. 8. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum.
