WACO, Texas— The UTSA women’s basketball team hung tough before falling to No. 14/15 Baylor, 73-55, on Sunday in nonconference action at Foster Pavilion.
The Roadrunners (3-5, 0-0 The American) couldn’t overcome the Bears (9-1, 0-0 Big 12), despite senior Ereuana Hardaway tying her season-high with 15 points to go with five assists and four rebounds. Classmate Mia Hammonds joined her in the double-digit scoring club, managing 10 points to go with eight boards, while sophomore Damara Allen and freshman Adriana Robles each scored nine.
The Roadrunners outrebounded the nationally ranked opposition 40-31, also scoring four more second-chance points and four more points in the paint.
UTSA took an early 7-3 edge following makes by junior Idara Udo, Hardaway, and Rowe. Baylor connected from beyond the arc to pull within one, and a quartet of free throws saw a 10-7 lead for the Bears. Hammonds hit a floater, but Baylor scored the next four to increase their advantage to five. Hardaway tickled the twine before the first quarter concluded with the Bears up, 15-11.
Baylor opened the second stanza with a triple, and the squads exchanged blows en route to a 20-15 score midway through the quarter. Robles hit from deep, and the battle raged on with a later Robles bucket capping off the half with Baylor still leading, 31-26.
The Bears stretched their advantage to 10 in the third before Rowe knocked down a jumper for a 36-28 score line. From there, Baylor connected from beyond the arc, and junior Jayda Holiman matched to keep UTSA within striking distance. After trading makes, a Hardaway bucket and a Udo free throw put the Roadrunners down eight, working a 48-40 score. Baylor finished the period strong, taking a 52-40 edge into the final frame.
A 6-2 fourth quarter start for the Bears increased their advantage to 20, but UTSA kept fighting using a 9-0 surge of their own to claw back within 11. Baylor, however, staved off the comeback, earning a 73-55 victory.
UTSA will next take on Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Dec. 13, with tipoff set for 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
Keep up with UTSA Women's Basketball on goutsa.com and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAWBB, X (Twitter) @UTSAWBB, and on Instagram @UTSA_WBB.
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