SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA women's basketball team (2-10) saw a spirited third-quarter rally fall short in a 69-60 setback against Texas A&M-Commerce (7-5) on Friday evening at the Convocation Center. Sophomore Marie Benson led the Roadrunners with 12 points and 16 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season, while freshman Barbara Benson added a career-high 11 points off the bench.
The Benson sisters were the only Roadrunners in double-figures in the setback, while sophomore Tija Hawkins and freshman Karrington Donald both finished with nine points each. UTSA kept it close from the floor as the Birds made 23 field goals to A&M-Commerce's 24, but 29 Roadrunner fouls gave the Lions multiple chances at the charity strip.
Turning Points
The teams opened the game locked at seven, before Texas A&M Commerce used an 11-4 run to take an 18-11 lead at the end of the opening frame. The Lions' maintained their advantage in the second quarter with seven points from Brianna Wise and six points from Artaejah Gay, taking a 37-25 lead into the half. The Lions continued to get to the free throw line and pushed their lead to 19 points in the third quarter, their largest of the game. However, UTSA battled back to end the stanza on a rally, scoring 12 of the final 14 points of the quarter. The Roadrunners continued their run to start the fourth quarter, cutting the Lion lead to just four points. The rally ended on a three pointer from Wise. Wise went on a personal 8-0 run, making two threes as A&M-Commerce brought its lead back up to 12 with six minutes to play. The Lions led the rest of the way for the 69-60 victory.
Inside The Numbers
- UTSA finished 23-of-66 (34.8 percent) from the floor and 2-for-19 (10.5) from 3-point range.
- Conversely, Texas A&M Commerce shot 24-of-63 from the field to finish at 38.1 percent.
- The Roadrunners won the rebounding battle, 49-46 with Marie Benson topping the Lions with a game-best 16 rebounds. The sophomore was followed by fellow classmate Tija Hawkins with eight boards.
- The Lions won the turnover battle, 16-14, to collect a 20-9 edge in points off turnovers.
- UTSA finished with five blocks compared to Texas A&M Commerce's two.
Up Next
The Roadrunners hit the road to open Conference USA play against La Tech and Rice. UTSA visits La Tech on Friday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Ruston, La., before heading to Houston to match up against Rice on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.