CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UTSA women's basketball had five players in double figures, including a team-high 19 points from sophomore Marie Benson, but the Roadrunners could not make up for seven turnovers in the first quarter as Charlotte aggressively came away with an 88-75 victory Saturday night at Halton Arena.
Joining Benson in double-figure scoring were sophomore Tija Hawkins, who had 13 points, senior Crystal Chidomere, who had 12 points, senior Carlie Heineman, who had 11 points and freshman Barbara Benson with 10 points.
Turning Points
The Roadrunners (5-19, 3-9 C-USA) and the Niners (10-13, 6-4 C-USA) opened the game tied at five, but Charlotte quickly took control when a 3-pointer from Dara Pearson, which sparked a 5-0 Charlotte run at the 4:23 mark. Seven UTSA turnovers helped the Niners build their edge to as much as nine, 18-9, at 2:22, but M. Benson dropped in a pair of free throws to pull the Roadrunners to within seven, 23-16, at the end of the opening frame.
Hawkins kept UTSA's momentum charging forward with a jumper to begin the next stanza, slicing the gap to five, but the Niners responded with a 9-3 run over a 1:45 span, widening the deficit to double figures for the first time at 11 (32-21). Short runs from the Roadrunners would keep UTSA in striking distance as a Chidomere jumper at the halftime horn made it just a nine-point contest at the break, 45-36.
Again, the two sides would answer each other's opportunities with their own throughout the third quarter, but Charlotte pushed to an 18-point edge, 75-57, by the first minute of the fourth quarter. UTSA battled back with an 8-0 run and outscored the home team, 18-17, in the final frame, but five Roadrunner fouls in the last three minutes helped create the final outcome.
Inside the Numbers
- UTSA continues to shoot the ball well overall, making 41.2 percent of its attempts (28-of-68), but struggled behind the arc at only 5-of-18 (27.8 percent).
- The Roadrunners delivered a solid job at the free throw line, going 14-of-19.
- Charlotte went 56.1 percent overall (32-for-57), but also struggled from 3-point range, making only four of 12 shots (33.3 percent). The Niners were also effective at the free throw line, going 20-for-28.
- UTSA won the rebound battle, 42-3, and held a 30-12 edge in second chance points.
Up Next
UTSA returns to the Convocation Center to host FIU for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, February 14. Tipoff is slate for 7 p.m.