SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will head into this weekend riding its longest win streak of the season and the Roadrunners will put that on the line when they host Marshall and WKU on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. UTSA will match up with the Thundering Herd 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. tilt with the Lady Hilltoppers.
The Roadrunners boast a 9-8 overall record and sit fourth in the Conference USA standings with a 5-1 mark. UTSA has been a force in league play, as the Roadrunners are averaging a second-best 75.5 points per game and are outscoring opponents by a 7.2 ppg margin. In C-USA games, UTSA ranks in the top five in steals (3rd/10.3), turnover margin (3rd/3.4), scoring margin, free throw percentage (4th/71.6) and rebounding offense (4th/38.5).
Tesha Smith was a huge contributor in the Roadrunners' fourth straight win this past Saturday, as she poured in a career high 38 points on 13-of-18 shooting and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. The San Antonio product was recognized by the conference office as co-player of the week for the first in her career.
Marshall heads to the Lone Star State for a pair of contest with an 11-7 overall record and it sits in a five-way tie for sixth with place a 3-4 mark in C-USA. The Thundering Herd will take on UTEP on Saturday to end its three-game road swing.
In their last five contests, Marshall is 1-4 with the lone win coming against UAB back on Jan. 14 in a 61-58 decision. In the Herd's last outing at WKU, the Lady Hilltoppers captured a 73-57 win. In all games, the Thundering Herd are second in scoring offense putting up 72.7 points a night but are eighth in conference-only games averaging 67.6 points a game. Marshall also ranks second in total blocks averaging 5.6 a game, which is also best for 21st in the NCAA.
WKU (14-5) is one of three teams tied for the league lead with a 6-1 mark. The Lady Hilltoppers are winners of their last four games and will face UTEP on Thursday prior to Saturday's game.
The Lady Hilltoppers lead the league in multiple categories and rank nationally in free throw percentage (.778), scoring margin (+14.7) and fewest turnovers per game (12.4). C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Kendall Noble leads the charge for WKU with a team-best 14.9 points per game to go with 6.5 boards per game.
Prior to Saturday's contest against WKU, UTSA will host its annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day event. UTSA will celebrate and honor female youth athletes in the Alamo City along with its student-athletes. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free for participants 12 years of age and under.
