SAN ANTONIO – Senior Carlie Heineman erupted for a season-high 20 points but the UTSA women's basketball team was upended by North Dakota, 60-47, in the finale of the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic at the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.
The visiting Fighting Hawks (3-2) wrapped up a 15-0 run around halftime to put the Roadrunners (1-5) in a 14-point (21-7) hole after two quarters. But Heineman, who was limited to three first-half points, caught fire.
Overall, seven Roadrunners saw action in the game with Heineman's 20 points leading UTSA's offensive efforts. Adding depth to the UTSA lineup was sophomore Marie Benson, who collected her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Aiding the offense was freshman Tasharian Robinson with a game-best four assists.
The Roadrunners finished at 30.5 percent (18-59) from the floor, which was hindered by going 2-7 (28.6 percent) from the charity stripe and 9-25 (36.0 percent) from three-point range. UTSA did, though force 21 UND turnovers to gain 18 points.
North Dakota drilled 37.5 percent (21-56) of its shots from the floor. It was led by Lexi Klabo with 17 points and Fallyn Freiji with 10 points while Chastity Franklin came off the bench to grab seven rebounds.
UND came out of the gates quickly, bolting to an 8-2 lead with 6:42 to play in the first quarter after Freije drained a pair of free throws. The pendulum of momentum started to slowly swing toward the Roadrunners, though, after Heineman sunk a three-pointer with 5:15 left in the opening quarter. UTSA controlled the temp as it kept the Huskies scoreless for the next three minutes, but North Dakota battled back to score the final three points of the period to own a 13-7 advantage.
The visitors extended their momentum by outscoring UTSA 21-7 in the second period to take a 20-point advantage at the half.
A pair of three pointers from sophomore Deja Cousin helped the Roadrunners play the Fighting Hawks more closely in the third quarter, as UND barely posted a 16-15 edge out of the locker room.
UTSA continued to battle in the fourth quarter as the Roadrunners ultimately outscored the visitors, 18-10 in the final 10 minutes. After the Huskies opened the frame with back-to-back layups, Heineman hit her first of three three-pointers in the quarter to spark an 8-0 run for UTSA.
The Roadrunners maintained control for the remainder of the frame, scoring 10 of the last 16 points, but it was not enough to overcome North Dakota's advantage.
UTSA will return to action Dec. 1-2 at the UTRGV Battle on the Border in Edinburg. The Roadrunners will face Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Dec. 1 at 4:30 p.m. The Birds also will match up with host, UTRGV, at 3 p.m. the following day.
