SAN ANTONIO — UTSA suffered a 51-47 loss to former Southland and Western Athletic Conference foe UT Arlington Monday night at the Convocation Center.
Plagued by mishaps, the Roadrunners committed a season high 26turnovers, which in turn resulted in 22 points for the visiting Mavericks.
UTSA (4-5) rallied late in the fourth quarter, making it a one-point game on two occasions, but fell short each time. UT Arlington managed to fend off the Roadrunners in the final 1:45 of play on a layup and three free throws.
At the 1:45 mark, a scoop to Tesha Smith from Akunna Elonu brought the Roadrunners deficit to one, 46-45, but the Mavericks responded with a layup from Rebekah VanDijk.
With 32 ticks on the clock, freshman Alexus Dukes was fouled and made both her free throw attempts to make it a one-point game once again, 48-47. UT Arlington (5-5) then closed out the game with three free throws, one from Lashanda Green and a pair from Amara Wainwright, as UTSA missed two of its shots.
Despite the loss, UTSA shot 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field and held UTA to just 26.9 percent (14-of-52). The Roadrunners were held to just seven points in the first quarter, matching a season low against Texas.
Smith reached double figures for the sixth time this season, third straight, with 12 points and added 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
Meanwhile, Elonu netted 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed five boards with an assist and block.
Cierra Johnson led UTA with 17 points and seven rebounds and Green chipped in with 10 points.
The Roadrunners will take a week break before returning to the Convocation Center for its final non-conference match-ups against Texas Southern and Bowling Green in the Rae & Craig Blair Memorial UTSA Holiday Classic.