WEST POINT, N.Y. – Marcus Millender’s game-tying three just missed the mark as time expired at Army West Point (6-6) on Sunday, leaving the UTSA men’s basketball team (6-6) barely shy of completing a 15-point comeback over the final six minutes of play. UTSA trimmed the deficit to just three on Tai’Reon Joseph’s triple from the wing with 13 seconds remaining, but ultimately fell short in the final non-conference game of the season, 78-75.
A seesaw battle was set early, as UTSA used a 9-0 run to pull ahead 11-7 just under five minutes into Sunday’s final non-conference tilt with the Black Knights. Both teams combined for 11 turnovers in the first eight minutes as the Roadrunners kept pace to stay ahead – twice extending their lead to six points, first on back-to-back threes from Damari Monsanto and Joseph, then a pair of Primo Spears free throws with 9:43 to go in the half. However, the Black Knights used a 9-0 run to chip away and edge in front. Monsanto dropped a triple at 7:16 that made it 24-all, but Army pushed back out to a five-point advantage. Millender and Primo Spears tag-teamed UTSA’s counter run, and Raekwon Horton tied the score at 33-33 with a putback at 2:45. Free throws kept the Black Knights barely in front, but Ryan Curry’s shot clock-beating three gave Army the 39-35 advantage at the half.
The Roadrunners ran into some matchup problems early in the second half, as forward Jonnivius Smith was whistled with his fourth foul just three minutes into the period. However, Horton rose to the occasion with a solo five-point swing to tie the game at 44-all, getting the layup and a foul, then stealing the inbound for a backboard-rattling dunk. Joseph followed by taking the second consecutive turnover to the rack for a 46-44 lead. After pulling ahead, a chill fell over the Roadrunners’ shooting, struggling to bury a bucket over the ensuing 10 minutes and Army launched into a 23-6 run that built out a 15-point advantage at 67-52.
The Roadrunners were 1-of-15 in the stretch before getting back on track at the free throw line. Monsanto and Spears made six consecutive unanswered free throws to bring the deficit back to single digits over a two-minute span. Then Horton’s layup at 4:00 cut it to seven, but a Curry three proved the Black Knights wouldn’t lay down for the rally. Horton again drove for a layup to bring it back to 70-62, then assisted Joseph on a trey that made it a six-point game with 1:53 on the clock.
The Roadrunners continued to chip and Spears drove the lane with 40 seconds, dropping it to a four-point contest. Forced to foul as the clock dwindled, Curry put away four at the line to give Army some breathing room, but Spears found Joseph for three with 13 seconds left, cutting the game to a single possession. Curry missed the ensuing free throw, Baboucarr Njie grabbed the board and Millender sprinted to the top of the key to pull up for the buzzer-beater – just off target, the shot rimmed out to close the rally attempt with Army on top 78-75.
Scoring 15 points off turnovers, UTSA forced the Black Knights into 19 giveaways, registering nine steals. The Roadrunners also kept on their rapid pace of play, collecting 16 points on fast breaks. The biggest difference, especially in the the second half, UTSA shot 28 percent beyond the arc, while Army was at 39 percent.
After reaching double-digits in the first half, Spears led all UTSA scorers with 22 points – his eighth 20+ scoring game of the season. Spears also brought down a career-high nine rebounds to lead the Roadrunners, adding three assists. A force in the final 25 minutes, Horton finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, grabbing seven rebounds and three steals. Putting down three from long range at key moments, Joseph finished with 16 points, along with two assists and two steals.
Keeping steady on their NCAA second-ranked average, UTSA shot 18-of-21 (85.7%) at the free throw line, fueling the comeback down the stretch.
WHAT’S NEXT
After turning the calendar over to the New Year, UTSA will open American Athletic Conference play on a trip to New Orleans to face Tulane on Jan. 4 at Devlin Fieldhouse.
- UTSA -