Kicking off their regular season with a victory, the UTSA men’s basketball successfully took down Trinity University 103-77 on Monday at the Convocation Center.
Starting guard Primo Spears led the way in scoring with 27 points, stringing together a multitude of high arching threes and soft touch floaters.
“It was a great coming out party for us,” Spears said about the game. “I feel like all of our teammates got involved really well.”
The contest saw four players reach double digits for the ‘Runners. A barrage of threes quickly opened up the game, giving UTSA a 81-65 lead nearly halfway through the second period. While Spears led all scorers, other players such as guard Marcus Millender contributed heavily, adding 19 points and seven assists in the blowout victory. Matched up against a Tiger zone defense, the team was able to quickly get to the basket, scoring either tough layups or kicking out for a quick corner three.
“Certainly glad with the offense,” coach Austin Claunch said after the game. “33 threes I have no issue with that, I think we just have to make a couple more.”
The ‘Runners also executed defensively in the second period, with the team combining for 21 steals and forcing 28 Trinity turnovers. Senior forward Jonnivius Smith led the defensive charge, garnering four steals and swatting four shots at the rim.
“It’s almost like you have too much energy,” Claunch said of the early defensive effort. “I thought we were very emotional in the first half, you have to play with more defensive poise and I thought we did that in the second half.”
The first half saw both teams exchanging scoring jabs throughout the period. The ‘Runners’ 6-point lead at the seven minute mark served as the team’s largest of the half, as the Tigers continued to score a collection of contested threes and timely putbacks. Full court pressing the majority of the opening, the Roadrunners forced seven turnovers with four team steals. Senior center Jaquan Scott led all scorers, chipping in 12 points, three rebounds and a monstrous block. Others such as Spears and Millender also helped contribute to the first half effort, combining for 17 of the team’s 43 points. Scoring in a multitude of ways, UTSA continued to shoot the ball well. Ending the half with a 43% field goal percentage, the team collectively remained efficient in the first half. The period ended with the Roadrunners edging out the Tigers 43 to 41.
UTSA will take on University of North Dakota at 6 p.m Saturday in the Convocation Center.
