The UTSA Roadrunners (4-11, 1-3 C-USA), playing for the first time in almost two weeks following a pair of COVID postponements last week, took on the Old Dominion Monarchs (11-3, 1-1 C-USA) and the Charlotte 49ers (6-6, 2-0 C-USA) in San Antonio last week. Let down by their performance on the offensive end, UTSA dropped both games at home to slip below .500 in Conference USA play. 

The action started on Thursday night against the Monarchs. Perhaps owing to the near two-week layoff, the ‘Runners got off to a slow start and the Monarchs jumped out to a quick 2-11 lead midway through the first quarter. UTSA stabilized from there, though, and ended the first quarter down only 11-18. The second quarter was a much more even affair as UTSA kept the Monarchs within striking distance. A three-pointer from guard Chantel Govan cut the lead down to five late in the second quarter and after the two teams traded baskets, UTSA entered halftime down just 27-33. 

The tight play continued into the start of the second half as each team operated efficiently on offense. A LaPraisjah Johnson jumper cut the Monarch lead down to just two, but they responded and stretched the lead back out to six shortly thereafter. UTSA responded in kind and an Elyssa Coleman layup cut the deficit back down to two midway through the third quarter. This carried on for a few minutes before an 8-0 run by Old Dominion late in the third quarter gave the Monarchs some breathing room heading into the fourth up 41-48. Down just seven, UTSA found themselves in a good position to mount a comeback and claim their second conference win of the season, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. The ‘Runners offense completely collapsed in the fourth quarter, putting up just five points and shooting 5.88% from the field as Old Dominion endured a rough fourth quarter of their own, but held on for a 46-57 victory. UTSA failed to have a single-player reach double digits in scoring with Elyssa Coleman leading UTSA with nine points off the bench.

Looking to shake things off, the ‘Runners were back in action Saturday afternoon to take on the 49ers. Unfortunately for UTSA, the beginning of the game on Saturday looked very reminiscent of how things ended on Thursday as the team shot 23% from the field in the first quarter and in the blink of an eye were down 6-20 by the end of the first quarter. A strong defensive effort in the second quarter helped keep things respectable as the ‘Runners held Charlotte to just six points in the quarter, but the offense only managed to put up eight of their own and entered halftime down 14-26. 

In the second half, Charlotte regained some of their offensive grooves and began to extend the lead out once again. The 49ers jumped out to a commanding 14-37 lead after an 11-0 run and didn’t look back from there. Entering the fourth quarter up 20-40, the 49ers kept the pedal down, not allowing the ‘Runners any chance of a comeback, opening up their largest lead of the game midway through the fourth quarter, 25-53. The ‘Runners finally got some offense going late in the quarter, but the result was never in doubt and the 49ers departed San Antonio with a 33-58 win under their belt. 

UTSA will hit the road this week to take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-7, 0-4 C-USA) in Ruston, La., on Monday at 1 p.m. Next, the team will return to San Antonio on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. for a game against the UTEP Miners (10-4, 2-2 C-USA). The team will then turn around and head back on the road to El Paso on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. for a rematch against the Miners. The two games against the Miners will be available to stream on ESPN+ on Thursday and CUSA.tv on Sunday, respectively.