DENTON — UTSA dropped its Conference USA opener at North Texas by a score of 68-58 on Friday afternoon at The Super Pit.
Carlie Heineman led all scorers with a career-high 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Heineman scored all six UTSA points in the second quarter, which came in the final 1:32 of play.
Meanwhile, Alexus Dukes added a 13-point performance behind 5-of-15 shooting. Tesha Smith picked up her fourth double-double on 11 points and 11 rebounds.
UTSA (4-7, 0-1 C-USA) was off to a cold start in its Conference USA opener as the Roadrunners shot 29 percent (5-of-17) from the field in the opening frame. Smith scored half the team’s points with six while Akunna Elonu grabbed six boards.
The cold streak continued in the second quarter after North Texas (6-5, 1-0 C-USA) held UTSA scoreless for almost the entire period. Heineman nailed a 3-pointer with 1:32 left in the frame and followed with another triple on the following possession to make it 32-18 at the half in favor of the Mean Green.
Out of the half, UTSA made up some ground in the third quarter and even made it a 10-point game in the fourth when Smith was fouled on the shot and sank her free throw to make it 52-42 with 7:01 left on the clock.
Despite being outscored 28-17 in the fourth quarter, the Mean Green went on for the 10-point win. NT shot 49 percent on 25-of-51 shooting from the field and went 6-of-18 from 3-point range.
Kelsey Criner led the Mean Green with 23 points, to go with four rebounds, five assists and five steals.
UTSA will continue its road trip on Sunday at Rice (1-11, 0-1 C-USA). Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.