SAN ANTONIO – Junior Sidney Love recorded a career-high 11 assists to go with 21 points, five rebounds, and five steals in a 74-69 victory over UTRGV in nonconference action inside the Convocation Center on Friday.
The Roadrunners (1-1, 0-0 The American) escaped the Vaqueros (1-1, 0-0 Southland) with Love becoming the first squad member to tally 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a single game since UTSA Athletics Hall of Famer Monica Gibbs charted 20 points and 10 assists in a matchup with Lamar on Feb. 28, 2009. Additionally, no 'Runner has recorded double-digit assist figures since Karrington Donald on Jan. 2, 2021, against Rice.
Redshirt senior Jordyn Jenkins poured in 19 points of her own with four rebounds, while freshman Damara Allen scored nine and charted five boards in her first career start.
UTSA shot 51.1% from the field in the win, marking the first time since Dec. 3, 2023, against UTEP that they maintained over a 50% shooting clip. The Roadrunners hauled in six more rebounds, four more blocks, and 24 more fast break points than their opposition.
The entire UTSA starting lineup scored en route to a slim 10-8 lead in the first. The 'Runners then surged, scoring the next six in a stretch that saw four senior Nyayongah Gony points. UTRGV broke the streak before sophomore Emma Lucio knocked down a triple for a 19-10 advantage. The Vaqueros got a shot to fall in the final minute, sending the squads into the second with the Roadrunners leading, 19-12.
UTRGV knocked down a three-pointer to start the second stanza and quickly cut their deficit to one. The teams exchanged blows for the majority of the period before a freshman Idara Udo make jump started an eight-point run that built a 38-29 lead. UTRGV beat the buzzer, resulting in a 38-31 score at the break.
The Vaqueros used multiple threes to claw back within one before a pair of Allen free throws combined with a Love jumper for a 48-43 UTSA edge. UTRGV got a shot to fall ahead of another triple that tied the contest. Love quickly replied with a trey of her own, issuing a 51-48 advantage. The battle raged on with a Vaquero bucket, handing them their first lead of the day with 39 seconds remaining in the third. They tickled the twine again before the buzzer sounded for a 58-53 lead.
Love connected on a three-pointer to start the final frame, and a slugfest ensued, producing a 66-66 tie with less than four minutes to play. Jenkins then nailed a floater for a two-point lead ahead of a scoring drought that took the teams under the 10-second mark. A Vaquero was fouled and went one-of-two from the charity stripe, resulting in a 68-67 UTSA lead with nine seconds remaining. Jenkins and Love then got freebies to fall, helping cement a 74-69 victory.
The Roadrunners will now hit the road for a pair of games against New Mexico State and UTEP, with a contest awaiting at 6 p.m. on Thursday against the Aggies, ahead of a noon matchup with the Miners on Saturday.
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