SAN ANTONIO— On Tuesday, the UTSA women’s basketball team suffered a 65-58 defeat at the hands of East Carolina in American Conference action at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners (9-8, 4-2 American) fell to the Pirates (14-6, 6-1 American), despite shooting 43% from the field to the oppositions 37%. UTSA also connected on 58% of its shots from beyond the arc, the majority of which came from junior Jayda Holiman, who sank three. The sophomore tandem of Damara Allen and Mia Hammonds tied for the team scoring lead, each logging 12 points with Hammonds collecting six rebounds, a block, and a steal. Senior Ereauna Hardaway tallied eight points with seven assists, while sophomore Emilia Dannebauer scored eight.
UTSA jumped out to a 10-2 lead early in the first, with Dannebauer, freshman Adriana Robles, Allen, and Hammonds all hitting shots. The ‘Runners defensive success continued, as they took a 13-6 lead into the subsequent stanza.
ECU was on fire in the second, with a jumper capping off a 9-0 run that handed them a 17-16 edge. Allen replied with a corner three to get the ‘Runners back in front, and a latter Dannebauer layup saw a 21-19 score line. The battle raged on as a Pirate triple knotted the contest, 25-25 with under a minute to play in the frame. Dannebauer then went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe for a 26-25 lead headed into the locker room.
The Pirates worked a 35-30 advantage in the third, and Holiman hit from beyond the arc to keep UTSA within striking distance. ECU quickly answered with a three of their own, and another bucket put them up seven. A slurry of free throws followed, and freshman Sanaa Bean converted a shot for a 42-38 score line, still favoring the Pirates. ECU kept the ‘Runners at arm's length for the remainder of the period, for a 50-41 edge entering the fourth.
A freebie and a layup allowed ECU to build its largest lead of the day, as a pair of Hammonds' free throws saw a 53-43 score line. The squads traded baskets until a free throw gave the Pirates a 12-point lead. Holiman hit from range to keep UTSA in the fight, and Bean got a shot to fall for a 59-52 score. ECU logged a layup, and Hardaway hit three free throws to make it 61-55. The Pirates then finished strong, securing the 65-58 victory.
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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