AUSTIN — No. 11 Texas was too much to handle and the Longhorns handed UTSA a season-opening 90-53 loss on Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center.
Those watching the season opener for both teams would have thought it was a three-point contest with all the scoring through the first 4:15 coming off 3-pointers. Texas led 12-6 in that span but later used a 9-0 run to lead, 21-8.
Later in the second quarter with the Longhorns in front, 26-19, Carlie Heineman drained a 3-pointer but it was followed by a 6:30 scoring draught by the Roadrunners. Niaga Mitchell-Cole drew a foul with 42 ticks remaining and sank both free throws to snap the a 16-0 run by Texas.
Both teams combined for 11 3-pointers in the first half, as the Longhorns led 44-21 at halftime.
Texas continued its scoring onslaught in the second half and went for the 37-point victory.
Alexus Dukes had a solid college debut, as she scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooing from behind the arc. The Harker Heights native added six rebounds and two assists. Meanwhile, Tesha Smith contributed seven points with seven rebounds and one block in 15 minutes of action.
Brooke McCarty scored a game-high 22 points to go along with seven boards, four assists and three steals.
UTSA will continue its season-opening two-game road trip next Saturday, Nov. 21, at Abilene Christian.