LUBBOCK — A late second half surge by Nicholls State put UTSA behind as they suffered a 57-49 loss Sunday afternoon in its final game of the Athletes in Action Classic hosted by Texas Tech.
Nicholls State made up a 10-point deficit at the start of the second half and tied the game with 9:08 to play on a layup by Ekiya Gray. The Colonels held the Roadrunners to 19 points in the latter half, the second fewest points scored by UTSA in a half.
The Colonels shot 52 percent (12-of-23) from the field in the second, while UTSA fired only 26 percent (7-27). Nicholls State snaps a three-game losing skid with the win and improves to 4-6 and UTSA falls to 4-6.
All-tournament team selection Kamra King led UTSA with 13 points with four rebounds. Tesha Smith chipped in with a double figure performance of 10 points with seven boards.
Mathilde Hergott had a career day in her first start of the season as she notched career bests in steals (4) and rebounds (6). The junior also netted seven points and matched a career high of two blocks.
Momentum shifted after the first half for UTSA as they forced 14 Nicholls State turnovers in the opening stanza, the most of any half this season. UTSA scored 17 points off the miscues and headed into intermission with a 30-22 advantage.
The Roadrunners did jump to an early 9-0 lead to start the game, but the Colonels responded back with a 9-0 run of their own to tie the ball game.
A layup by Mathilde Hergott at the 10:34 mark broke the tie and ensued with the Roadrunners’ 12-2 run that put UTSA up 21-11 with 5:39 to play. Nicholls State also committed seven turnovers in the span.
Tia Charles led three Colonels players in double figures with 23 points. Shay Arnick added 12 and Jenny Nash 11.
UTSA will take a one-week break for the Christmas holidays and will return Dec. 28-29 for the UTSA Holiday Classic. The Roadrunners will welcome South Dakota, SIU Edwardsville and Chattanooga to the Alamo City.