SAN ANTONIO — Loryn Goodwin paced UTSA with 21 points off the bench, but Houston handed the Roadrunners a 56-49 setback on Monday night in the first day of the Rae & Craig Blair Memorial Tournament.
Goodwin's 21 points came off 7-of-21 shooting from the field and a 6-of-9 effort from the free throw line. The junior guard also added five rebounds to go along with four steals and a pair of helpers.
Tesha Smith chipped in with a double-digit performance, as she netted 10 points with eight rebounds and four steals.
UTSA (3-7) posted its lowest scoring half of the season against Houston in the first half with 14 points as they also neared tying the program record for lowest points scored in a quarter in the first. Carlie Heineman and Crystal Chidomere scored on back-to-back possessions in the final minute of play to bring the Roadrunners total to six points.
Houston (6-5) controlled the contest in the first half as they held UTSA scoreless through the first 5:29 of the first stanza.
Momentum shifted after halftime as the Cougars led 21-14. UTSA scored 10 unanswered points to start the third quarter and took a 24-21 lead at the 8:20 mark. The Cougars then broke the silence and followed with an 8-0 run to top the Roadrunners 29-24 and eventually lead 37-32 at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, UH maintained its pace and outscored UTSA 19-17. Nine of the Roadrunners 17 points came at the free throw line as four different players made the trip. Smith completed three free throws while Heineman, Chidomere and Goodwin were all a perfect 2-of-2.
UTSA was held to 26 percent shooting Monday night, as they were also 1-of-21 from 3-point range. In the last two outings, the Roadrunners have gone a combined 2-of-35.
The Roadrunners will take on Liberty (1-7) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
