SAN DIEGO - Behind three Roadrunners in double figures, UTSA rallied for a 31-24 second-half advantage but it was not enough as the Birds dropped a 78-69 decision to the San Diego Toreros on Saturday night in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Senior Crystal Chidomere registered her third 20+ point performance of the season with a squad best 23 points. Sophomore Marie Benson added 15 points and a team-best 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season, while senior Carlie Heineman managed 11 points in the contest.
UTSA outrebounded San Diego, 36-35, but shot 57.1 percent (28-of 58) in the game while San Diego hit 70.0 percent (30-of-61) from the field. Alexandra Hagen led the way for the Toreros with 25 points, hitting 11-of-16 from the floor and one from beyond the arc.
The Roadrunners and Toreros opened the game in a back-and-forth as the teams tied at four and again at nine. San Diego broke the tie with a layup from Hagen and developed its lead with 8-0 run. UTSA responded with eight consecutive points from Chidomere as the senior sank a trio of jumpers and pair of free throws, but it wasn't enough. USD kept its lead by scoring a season-high 35 first quarter points.
The Toreros built their lead to 18 points (47-29), but the Roadrunners responded with a 9-0 run to cut the score to 47-38 late in the second quarter. USD scored the final four points of the half to take a 51-38 lead in to the locker room.
It was a strong third quarter for UTSA as the squad outscored the Toreros, 14-12, in the period. The programs exchanged short runs throughout the frame but the difference maker was defense, with the Roadrunners forcing 10 San Diego turnovers. UTSA scored the final four points to cut USD's edge to 63-52.
UTSA extended its momentum into the fourth quarter with the Roadrunners outscoring the Toreros, 17-15. The frame saw four points from Benson, Chidomere and Tija Hawkins, but UTSA faced an uphill battle and was never able to overcome the deficit eventually falling, 78-69
The Roadrunners will conclude their California visit with a game at Cal State - Fullerton on Tuesday, December 19 at 9 p.m. CT.
