RUSTON, La. — UTSA nearly doubled its scoring in the second half at Louisiana Tech on Thursday night, but the Roadrunners came out on the short end in a 75-66 loss at the Thomas Assembly Center.
The Roadrunners (8-16, 4-10 C-USA) were held to 24 points in the first half and headed to the locker room trailing 35-24. UTSA shot 34.6 percent (9-of-26) and were paced by Akunna Elonu’s nine points. Elonu doubled her scoring total and finished the night with a team-leading 18 points.
The Roadrunners stepped it up in the third quarter and outscored Louisiana Tech, 20-14. UTSA brought the deficit down to three with 52 seconds remaining, but the Lady Techsters (13-11, 8-5 C-USA) scored the next two baskets to extend the lead to seven.
Louisiana Tech continued its scoring barrage and scored 11 of its 26 points on free throws in the fourth quarter.
For the first time since Feb. 14, 2015, UTSA did not hit a 3-pointer and was 0-of-9 from behind the arc. UTSA also shot 42.9 percent (27-of-63) from the field.
Crystal Chidomere and Alana Heard joined Elonu in double figures with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Chidomere scored 15 of her 16 points in the second half.
UTSA will end its weekend road swing at Southern Miss on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.