SAN ANTONIO- After trailing for the majority of the game, the UTSA women's basketball team sparked a comeback, outscoring Rice 24-9 in the fourth quarter to collect a 67-58 victory in American Athletic Conference action at the Convocation Center on Wednesday.
The Roadrunners (13-2, 4-0 The American) bested the Owls (8-7, 1-2 The American), with a redshirt senior Jordyn Jenkins three-pointer handing them their first lead of the evening with 6:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The win extended UTSA's best-ever start to a season, and UTSA is 4-0 in league play for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign (Southland Conference). The squad is now one win away from tying the all-time best 5-0 mark from the 1983-84 season (Oil Country Athletic Conference). Additionally, the 'Runners won their ninth straight in The Convo, matching a streak from Dec. 6, 2008-Feb. 7, 2009, for the second-longest in program history.
Jenkins piled up 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the game in both categories, while graduate student Nina De Leon Negron worked a season-high 19 points to go with eight boards and five assists. Sophomore Idara Udo hauled in eight rebounds, and freshman Damara Allen scored seven points, including a dagger three-pointer that capped off a 9-0 run at the game's conclusion.
The Owls scored the first eight points of the contest before Jenkins converted a pair of freebies to put UTSA on the board. After exchanging blows, an Udo jumper sparked a 9-2 stretch that kept the 'Runners in the fight, with a De Leon Negron layup trimming the deficit to one. A trio of free throws fell for Rice in the final minute, issuing a 17-13 score line entering the second.
The subsequent stanza began with an Owl bucket, but a triple and a fast break layup for De Leon Negron, combined with a Jenkins jumper for a 7-2 run. Rice responded with three consecutive makes, building an eight-point lead. Shortly after, the teams traded shots for a 34-26 Owl advantage, and UTSA closed out the half scoring five of the final seven points, resulting in a 36-31 score.
Rice opened the scoring in the third, but UTSA snagged the following five points as a sophomore Aysia Proctor layup pulled the 'Runners within two. An Owl jumper and three-pointer followed, rebuilding a 43-36 lead. De Leon Negron then logged a layup, and junior Cheyenne Rowe knocked down a pair from the charity stripe to keep UTSA within striking distance. Rice finished the period strong, carrying a 49-43 lead into the final frame.
A Jenkins triple polished off a 7-0 spurt in the fourth, allowing UTSA to claim a 54-53 lead that was their first of the day. Rice answered with a jumper of their own to regain an edge, but De Leon Negron sunk two free throws to flip the script. A Rowe layup followed, and a Rice and-one saw a 58-58 tie. UTSA then witnessed back-to-back makes for De Leon Negron, a bucket for Jenkins and a dagger three-pointer by Allen that allowed them to finish the game on a 9-0 run and secure a 67-58 victory.
The Roadrunners will remain in the Convo for their next contest, as they host Wichita State on Saturday at noon.
Keep up with UTSA Women's Basketball all season long by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAWBB, X (Twitter) @UTSAWBB, and on Instagram @UTSA_WBB.
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