PHILADELPHIA— A sensational performance by senior Cheyenne Rowe allowed UTSA to escape the Liacouras Center with a 50-47 victory over Temple in American Conference action.
The Roadrunners (7-6, 2-0 American) topped the Owls (6-7, 0-1 American) as Rowe charted a 14-point, 18-rebound double-double that represented the most boards in a single contest since Elyssa Coleman snagged 19 against Wichita State on Jan. 6, 2024, and is tied for the 11th-most in program history. Joining Rowe in the double-digit scoring club, sophomore Damara Allen recorded 12, while senior Ereauna Hardaway and junior Mia Hammonds each logged 10.
Temple opened the contest on a 6-2 run, before a Rowe bucket pulled UTSA within two. A later make for Allen put the ‘Runners up 7-6, but Temple tickled the twine before the period’s conclusion for an 8-7 Owl advantage.
The teams matched each other early in the second, ahead of a 10-0 Roadrunner surge that featured buckets by Allen, freshman Adriana Robles and Hammonds. Temple stopped the run for a 19-14 score line, and a Rowe jumper increased the UTSA lead to seven. The ‘Runners then finished the half strong, carrying a 25-19 lead into the locker room.
UTSA scored the first six points of the third, and Temple replied with a triple and a slurry of free throws for a 31-25 score, still favoring the Roadrunners. Eight straight for UTSA issued a 39-25 edge, and the Owls drained a pair from the charity stripe to send the squads into the fourth with the ‘Runners up, 39-27.
Temple knocked down multiple triples in a stretch that allowed them to claw within three in the fourth. Hardaway halted the streak with a layup that gave UTSA a 43-38 lead. The battle raged on, with an Allen three keeping UTSA in front, 47-41, midway through the frame. From there, a Rowe jumper and an Owl and-one worked a 49-44 score. A Temple three-pointer followed to trim their deficit to two, and UTSA went 1-of-2 from the free throw line for a 50-47 lead with nine seconds left. Staunch defense followed, cementing the UTSA victory.
UTSA will next host Charlotte on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a noon showdown at the Convocation Center in San Antonio.
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