SAN ANTONIO — Mannasha Bell netted a career best 17 points and one other Roadrunner scored in double figures to lift UTSA past Florida Atlantic, 68-45, Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
Bell got her fourth double-double of the year, and seventh overall, on 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tesha Smith put up 14 points with five rebounds.
The Roadrunners’ strong performance against Florida Atlantic included its 12th game this season with 40-plus rebounds. UTSA held a 48-34 advantage on the glass and was minimal in turnovers with 10. As of late, UTSA has reduced the number of times it’s given the ball away.
UTSA (11-12, 6-5) opened up against the Owls with a solid 16-2 run. Morgan Robinson and Shaneese Bailey each scored once for the Owls before a 9-2 FAU run made it a seven-point game, 18-11.
In return, the Roadrunners responded with a 12-4 to lead by 15 with 6:32 to play and ended the first half with a 12-point lead over the visitors, 34-22.
In the second half, UTSA cruised to the victory leading by as many as 25 late in the stanza. The Roadrunners shot 37 percent (25-of-68) from the field and 79 percent (15-of-19) from the charity stripe.
Florida Atlantic (11-10, 5-5) was held to 29 percent (15-of-51) shooting and fifth game this season of 50 points or less.
Shaneese Bailey and Malia Kency each scored nine points to lead the Owls.
UTSA will be back in action when it hits the road for a pair of games on the east coast. The Roadrunners will first visit Old Dominion (on Thursday, Feb. 12, and then head to Charlotte for a Feb. 14 tilt.