HATTIESBURG, Miss. — UTSA dropped a 65-53 decision at Southern Miss on Saturday at Reed Green Coliseum in the Roadrunners’ final road contest of the regular season.
UTSA (8-17, 4-11 C-USA) held its final lead of the game in the second quarter before the Golden Eagles (13-12, 6-8 C-USA) exploded for 26 points to lead 37-20 at the half.
The Roadrunners bounced back-and-forth in the first half against the Golden Eagles and even led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter. UTSA shot 32.3 percent (20-of-62) from the field and were almost held to no 3-point field-goals until Alexus Dukes drained a triple with 27 seconds left in the fourth.
Dukes paced the team with 14 points, which all came in the second half, and added three steals.
Meanwhile, Crystal Chidomere reached double figures for the third straight game as she netted 13 points with three rebounds, one steal and an assist.
Despite the loss, UTSA outscored Southern Miss in second chance points, 24-12, and outrebounded the Golden Eagles 45-42.
Southern Miss snapped its three-game losing skid with the win and was led by Caitlin Jenkin’s 22 points and Brittany Dinkins 20.
The Golden Eagles recorded a season-best nine 3-pointers as they fired 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from behind the arc.
UTSA will return to the Alamo City for its final three games of the regular season. The Roadrunners will host Charlotte (Feb. 25) and Old Dominion (Feb. 27) this week.