Despite a double-double from senior forward Jordyn Jenkins, who posted 18 points and 11 rebounds, UTSA couldn’t capitalize in late-game opportunities, falling to Texas A&M University in a tight 55-51 contest at Reed Arena.
The Roadrunners had an opportunity to pull ahead in the final moments, but missed free throws by junior guard Sidney Love and a missed three-pointer by junior guard Siena Guttadauro in the closing seconds, ultimately sealed their fate.
“I thought we played hard,” coach Karen Aston said. “They just got to their spots better than we did.”
The game opened with Jenkins scoring the Roadrunners’ first points on a put-back. Despite her early presence, UTSA showed signs of nerves, starting the game shooting 1 of 8 from the field. Senior forward Nyayongah Gony provided a defensive spark, grabbing two early steals, one of which led to free throws for UTSA. However, the Aggies’ defense proved just as formidable, limiting UTSA to tough, contested shots. After a brief scoring drought, Love brought UTSA within two points. Jenkins and freshman guard Damara Allen both added fast-break scores late in the quarter, keeping the Roadrunners within reach. But fouls added up for UTSA, giving Texas A&M numerous free-throw opportunities and a 14-10 lead at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, UTSA struggled offensively, committing multiple turnovers which allowed Texas A&M to stay in control. Allen’s three-pointer early in the period kept UTSA within striking distance, but both teams endured extended scoring droughts. With Texas A&M shooting just 22% in the quarter, guard Aicha Coulibaly broke the silence with a jumper, pushing the Aggies’ lead to 22-17. Late in the half, graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron added her first points and forced a turnover, though UTSA couldn’t capitalize before the buzzer. Despite six turnovers and 36% shooting, UTSA trailed by only four at halftime.
UTSA emerged focused in the third quarter, opening with an 11-0 run to take a five-point lead. Jenkins continued her strong play, scoring the half’s first basket, while De Leon Negron soon tied the game. Junior forward Maya Linton then drained a three-pointer, giving UTSA a 29-26 lead. Texas A&M struggled to respond, missing their first six shots and committing four turnovers. Sophomore forward Idara Udo extended UTSA’s lead to 33-26 before Texas A&M broke a five-minute scoring drought with a three-pointer from guard Janae Kent. The Aggies clawed back, as San Antonio native, guard Sahara Jones scored seven consecutive points to swing the momentum back to Texas A&M. Guard Solè Williams hit a buzzer-beating layup, putting the Aggies ahead 40-38 entering the fourth.
“We talked that we could do some things better than in the first half and I thought we did that,” Aston said. “We had a lead that we could have built on but we’ll learn.”
In the final quarter, both teams traded leads. Love played aggressively, drawing fouls and narrowing the Aggies’ lead. Guttadauro’s baseline jumper tied it at 42, and Jenkins briefly put UTSA ahead 44-42 with a pair of free throws. Texas A&M responded with a three-pointer from guard Taliyah Parker. Guttadauro kept UTSA’s hopes alive with a clutch three from the corner, narrowing the deficit to one. A&M responded immediately with a bucket by Jones, giving her 16 for the game and extending the lead to 54-51. Despite UTSA’s efforts, they would not be able to close the gap in the final seconds, resulting in a 55-51 loss.
“They got more paint points, got to the free throw line more, and got key offensive rebounds,” Aston said. “We’ll learn from this, these are the kind of games that make you get better.”
UTSA will be back home to face The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Convocation Center.
