FORT WORTH, Texas – The 11-seed UTSA men’s basketball team (12-19) went to the wire with sixth-seeded East Carolina (19-13) in the second round of the American Athletic Conference Basketball Championships on Thursday at Dickies Arena. Despite a see-saw game that produced six ties and seven lead changes, the Roadrunners ultimately came up short after grabbing a one-point lead in the final 1:16 of the 70-65 season-ending loss. The Roadrunners finish the year with the most wins since the 2020-21 season in the first year under head coach Austin Claunch
The Roadrunners grabbed the early lead, but a 7-0 East Carolina run set UTSA in a hole. However, the shots began to fall from long range from Marcus Millender, Damari Monsanto and Primo Spears that allowed UTSA to make up ground quickly. Though the Pirates built an eight-point advantage, a putback layup from Jonnivius Smith and seven of the next nine points from Millender brought the game to just 20-19 deficit – as Spears pulled up for a jumper in the paint and Millender drove the lane on the fast break off Tai’Reon Joseph’s block.
Jordan Riley and Cam Hayes hit back-to-back threes for ECU to rebuild some cushion into the final seven minutes of the half, but again the Roadrunners came driving back, with Monsanto spotting up for a three to make it 30-28 with two minutes to go before the break. Again, quick to respond, Jordan Riley put down back-to-back buckets to carry ECU into the half with a 34-28 advantage.
A scuffle right at the buzzer put a technical on CJ Walker and awarded UTSA a pair of Monsanto free throws and possession to open the second half. Monsanto followed up with using great ball movement to get another three to trim it to 36-33 and David Hermes worked through the paint to put down a layup for a one-point game. Though ECU kept UTSA at arm’s length, the Roadrunners weathered the storm, refusing to go away. Monsanto splashed an NBA three from the top of the key with 13:51 to go and then collected a steal off the Pirates, skipping the ball ahead to Millender for the layup. With 12:13 left, Spears drove through contact to get to the line and first tied the game and then pushed the Roadrunners ahead 45-44. Spears grabbed the next board, and Monsanto dropped his fifth from long range for the 49-44 advantage at 11:47.
For the remainder of the game, the margin remained within two possessions along with four ties and four lead changes. The Pirates overtook the UTSA lead on a Riley putback dunk with 8:58 on the clock, but Spears pulled up from 18 feet with 6:23 left for the 57-55 UTSA lead. Riley and RJ Felton countered to swing the pendulum back to ECU. With Spears sidelined with an injury, Millender drove the left side of the lane at 1:16 to give the Roadrunners their final lead. Felton responded with a splashed jumper just 19 seconds later.
The closing moments were determined at the line, as ECU built a four-point lead with 14 seconds on the clock, but Millender ran the court for a layup. Riley hit one of two free throws on the other end, leaving 6.2 seconds on the clock and ECU made the call to foul, sending Smith to the line. A missed free throw widened the final margin as Jayshayne Woodard closed the game out racing for a dunk to make it 70-65.
Pacing the Roadrunners throughout the night, Millender finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists. In his final game as a Roadrunner, Spears collected 19 points for his 87th career double-figure performance, also making five assists. Also making his final UTSA appearance, Monsanto was 5-for-9 from three and finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Running the boards all night for the Roadrunners, Smith collected 14 rebounds and made two blocks.
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