SAN ANTONIO — UTSA was unable to overcome a 57-36 rebounding deficit and it fell to UTEP, 67-56, on Saturday at the Convocation Center.
Kamra King led three Roadrunners (11-8, 2-4 C-USA) in double figures with 16 points. Miki Turner added 13 to go along with four assists, while McKenzie Adams nearly came away with the first double-double of her career with 12 points and nine rebounds. Adams was also a force on the defensive end coming up with four blocks and four steals.
Kayla Thornton starred for UTEP (15-4, 4-2 C-USA) with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Kristine Vitola pitched in another 15 points and nine rebounds, as the Miners dominated the glass and held a 19-5 advantage in second-chance points.
UTEP took control of the contest midway through the opening half with an 11-0 run stretching its lead to 21-9 at the 8:22 mark. Thornton and Vitola teamed for seven of the 11 points. During the spurt, UTSA went cold from the field going 0-for-4 and turned the ball over three times in seven possessions.
The Roadrunners cut the deficit to 23-18 on an Ashley Spaletta three from the left wing with 6:19 to play until halftime but the Miners answered with a 6-0 run taking a 34-26 advantage into halftime.
UTSA appeared poised to overcome their deficit on the glass in the second half when Turner knocked down a free throw and a jumper with 14:42 remaining to close to with four, 42-38.
It was not to be as the 6-3 Vitola knocked down a three from the top of the circle with 7:54 left to push the Miners lead back to double digits. UTSA would get no closer as UTEP’s lead ballooned to as much as 17 over the contest’s final six minutes.
The Roadrunners will play their next game next Saturday at Louisiana Tech (6-13, 1-5 C-USA). Tipoff with the Lady Techsters is set for 6 p.m.