The UTSA women’s basketball team (1-3) got their first win of the season this past week in a tight 66-60 victory over the UIW Cardinals (1-3) on Sunday, Nov. 21. This comes hot on the heels of a competitive loss on Thursday, Nov. 18, to the Texas State Bobcats (2-1), 62-76. 

Against the Bobcats on Thursday night, it was a close contest early. The ‘Runners trailed late in the first quarter 15-19, but Elyssa Coleman would score on a layup and then hit a free throw to draw UTSA within one, 18-19. Texas State scored the next four points in the quarter to extend the lead to 18-23 by the end of the first. Early in the second quarter, UTSA tied things at 23 off of a LaPraisjah Johnson jumper, but Texas State responded again. A massive 12-0 run saw the Bobcats surge ahead and build a strong gap between the two teams. UTSA continued to fight, though, and by the end of the first half they had trimmed the lead to just eight, 37-45. 

In the third quarter, UTSA continued to fight hard, cutting the lead down to three midway through the quarter, but Texas State once again had a response. A second 12-0 run extended the lead to 43-58 and put the ‘Runners on their back foot. Eventually, UTSA entered the fourth quarter down 48-60. The fourth quarter saw Texas State in complete control of the game, never letting UTSA get too close for comfort. To UTSA’s credit they continued to play hard, not letting the game turn into a complete blowout. Eventually time expired and UTSA headed home with a 62-76 loss. 

They bounced back in a big way on Sunday afternoon. The ‘Runners jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead early in the first quarter against UIW and went back-and-forth with them from there to take a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, UTSA opened strong again, using a 6-0 run punctuated by a Charlene Mass three-pointer to jump out to their biggest lead of the game midway through the second, 20-9. UIW responded and cut the lead down to 25-22 late in the second, but UTSA closed on a 6-1 run to take a 31-23 lead into halftime. 

The third quarter was tense as UTSA built back up an 11-point advantage thanks to a 7-0 run capped off by a Jadyn Pimentel three-pointer, but UIW just wouldn’t go away. Eventually a Johnson jumper sent UTSA into the fourth with a 10-point lead 49-39. In the fourth quarter, the UIW defense locked in, keeping the ‘Runners in check as their offense slowly drew closer. With just over three minutes left in the game UIW drew within two 53-51 and looked primed to steal the game away from the ‘Runners late. Coming out of a timeout, though, UTSA reasserted itself. Jonhson scored the next four UTSA points and Coleman scored an easy layup off a great dish by Pimentel to extend the lead back to eight with just under a minute to go. UIW continued to score points to keep the pressure on UTSA, but the ‘Runners hit their free throws down the stretch and held on for the 66-60 victory, handing Karen Aston her first win as head coach. 

The ‘Runners received big time contributions in the game from Mass, Johnson and Coleman, who all put up 14 points in the game. Coleman also recorded her first double-double of the year, recording 12 rebounds to go with her 14 points. That effort helped her earn Conference USA’s Freshman of the Week. 

UTSA will next be in action Sunday, Nov. 28, on the road in Minneapolis, MN, where they will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2). Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be available on the Big Ten Network+.