SAN ANTONIO — UTSA and Texas Southern combined for 29 total blocks to set the NCAA record in blocked shots by both teams in a 59-44 loss for the Roadrunners Monday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
UTSA (4-6) sets its own record with blocks in a single-game with 16, surpassing its previous mark of 14 set back on Dec. 21, 2011 against then-UTPA. Texas Southern also matched a program record of blocks against with 13.
Matching another program record was Texas Southern’s Kianna Vines as she totaled eight blocks matching the single-game record set last season by Middle Tennessee’s Cheyenne Parker.
No Roadrunner reached double figures but Alexus Dukes and Kasia Kiejdrowska led the box score with nine points each. Tesha Smith and Akunna Elonu combined for 21 rebounds with 11 and 10 respectively.
UTSA worked its way from behind in the second quarter after trailing 14-12 at the end of the opening stanza. The Roadrunners trailed by as many as five at the 8:17 mark but followed with six straight points to lead 20-19 with 5:48 remaining.
The Roadrunners headed to the locker room with a 27-24 advantage and 12 team blocks. In the third quarter, UTSA surpassed its single-game record in blocks on Smith’s block with 10 seconds left in the frame.
In the third quarter, Texas Southern (4-6) took a lead halfway through the period that was short-lived after a layup from Niaga Mitchell-Cole put UTSA back on top. A pair of free throws by TSU’s Ladeyh Forte flipped the score and the Tigers regained its lead at 32-31 and never looked back. The Tigers also held the Roadrunners to four points in the third, which was the lowest score total his year.
TSU had two players in double-digit points with Brianna Sidney netting a game-high 19 points while Joyce Kennerson added 18.
Due to wintry weather conditions, UTSA’s game on Dec. 30 against Bowling Green has been cancelled.
The Roadrunners will return to action at 2 p.m. on Friday when they open Conference USA action at North Texas (5-5).