WICHITA, Kan.— The UTSA women’s basketball team’s comeback bid fell short on Saturday, as they suffered a 62-61 defeat at the hands of Wichita State after trailing by as much as 11 in American Conference action inside Koch Arena.
The Roadrunners (12-13, 7-7 American) fell to the Shockers (6-21, 3-11 American), as junior Idara Udo posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Cheyenne Rowe tallied 23 points and eight boards in the effort, while classmate Ereauna Hardaway scored with a game-high six assists.
The teams exchanged blows, resulting in an 8-8 tie midway through the first. Udo connected on a jumper, ahead of three Shockers' points, and a Rowe buzzer beater that saw a 12-11 UTSA advantage at the conclusion of the period.
Wichita State scored the first five in the second, ahead of a Rowe triple that kept UTSA within striking distance. Later, a sophomore Damara Allen trey handed the ‘Runners a 20-18 edge, but the Shockers matched to go back on top. Another three-pointer for WSU put them up, 24-20, before buckets by Udo and Rowe knotted things up at 24 entering halftime.
The Shockers connected from beyond the arc to open the third, as they grew a 37-26 advantage, ahead of a 49-40 lead at the quarter's end.
Rowe kick-started the final frame with a triple, and a pair of Hardaway free throws with under four to go had the Roadrunners within five. Sophomore Jayda Holiman then hit from deep for a 58-54 score line, still favoring the Shockers. WSU tickled the wine, ahead of two Hardaway freebies and a Rowe triple that had UTSA down one, 60-59. The Shockers knocked down two free throws, and Allen hit a floater for a 62-61 score. From there, UTSA was unable to connect on a game-winner, falling at Koch Arena.
The ‘Runners will next head to Denton, Texas, where they’ll face North Texas on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. inside The Super Pitt.
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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