MIAMI, Fla. — Tesha Smith and Carlie Heineman scored in double figures to lead UTSA past FIU 70-61 on Saturday afternoon at FIU Arena.
UTSA (8-8, 4-1 C-USA) reaches its longest win streak of the season with three consecutive wins and now is .500 for the first time this year.
Smith registered her fourth double-double of the season on a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Heineman chipped in with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from behind the arc and five rebounds.
FIU had two players score in double digits as the Panthers were led by Janka Hegedus's 12 points. Kristian Hudson, who hit the game winner against UTEP this past Thursday, went for a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams played a tight first quarter as the first 10 minutes ended in a 15-all tie. UTSA scored six of its points off of eight FIU turnovers in just that frame.
In the second quarter, the game remained close until UTSA managed to tie the game one last time at 26 on a layup by Smith at the 4:34 mark. The Roadrunners held the Panthers off the board for most of the way until Alexis Gordon drained a 3-pointer with 1:27 left to end UTSA's 11-0 run, which had the Roadrunners leading 35-29 at the half.
UTSA's hot streak carried over into the start of the third quarter as the Roadrunners scored 14 unanswered points. Kayla Rogers put the Panthers on the board with a free throw at the 3:48 mark as UTSA held a 20-point lead, 49-29.
Heineman also saw her streak of consecutive 3-pointers end as she made four in a row and ended the day 5-of-8 from behind the arc. Her five triples matches a career high last done against North Texas last season.
FIU (4-11, 2-2 C-USA) was able to cut the deficit down to nine points to start the fourth quarter and then down to six with 36 ticks remaining but the hot shooting Roadrunners held the Panthers off the rest of the way.
UTSA will begin a two-week home stand next Saturday, Jan. 21, when it hosts UTEP at 2 p.m.
