As the UTSA women’s basketball team prepares for its first official games of the season, the Roadrunners will face the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at the Convocation Center. UTSA enters these games on a high note, following a 90-38 exhibition win over St. Mary’s University. Meanwhile, Texas A&M, led by head coach Joni Taylor, seeks redemption after a surprising 62-56 upset loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. UT Rio Grande Valley also enters with momentum, having pulled off an impressive 70-68 upset victory over University of Houston.
Matchup History: Texas A&M
Texas A&M has traditionally held the advantage in this matchup, leading 3-0 in the all-time series. In their last meeting in December 2021, the Aggies defeated UTSA 77-51, controlling the boards with a 51-42 rebounding advantage and outscoring them 38-20 in the paint. Forward Aaliyah Patty was a key player, contributing 20 points and 18 rebounds, while Texas A&M’s defense logged 14 blocks and led UTSA 18-8 in assists. This time, UTSA, with an improved roster, aims to turn the tables and secure their first win against the Aggies.
Matchup History: UT Rio Grande Valley
UTSA and UT Rio Grande Valley have faced off 29 times, UTSA winning 20 matchups. Their last meeting in Dec. 2021 ended in a 66-59 victory for the Roadrunners, who held the Vaqueros to 30% shooting and forced 20 turnovers, despite struggling offensively themselves. UTSA guard Jadyn Pimentel led the scoring with 22 points, while forward Taylor Muff led UT Rio Grande Valley with 19 points and eight rebounds. Though UTSA has had the upper hand historically, the teams have split their last ten meetings, showing that the Vaqueros can be a formidable opponent.
UTSA
UTSA enters the season with momentum following their commanding win over St. Mary’s, where they forced 29 turnovers and held their opponent to just 38 points. “I definitely think that this team can have a defensive identity,” coach Karen Aston said during Monday’s press conference. “I think you can see that we’ve got a little more length than we’ve had in the past.” Last season, UTSA averaged 44.5 rebounds per game, ranking eighth nationally, and they will rely on this strength against upcoming opponents.
Senior forward Jordyn Jenkins led the Roadrunners’ offense with 23 points against St. Mary’s. Freshman forward Taylor Ross debuted with a double-double, and junior forward Cheyenne Rowe also chipped in with 17 points.
Graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron and senior forward Nyayongah Gony were instrumental in maintaining game control. Gony added 10 points, showcasing a strong presence on both ends, while Negron dished out four assists, taking on the role of floor general. Aston noted, “There’s definitely players that bring something to the table that we necessarily didn’t have last year, and I think that’s why we recruited them.”
Texas A&M
Texas A&M, under coach Joni Taylor, prides itself on their solid defensive foundation. Last season, they ranked 33rd nationally in opponent field-goal percentage, holding teams to 37.1% shooting and limiting them to 58.7 points per game—superior to UTSA’s defensive numbers. Guard Aicha Coulibaly, the Aggies’ leading scorer from last season, averaged 13.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals and will be key to turning around their fortunes. Forward Lauren Ware will anchor the defense, having averaged 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last season. Aston remarked, “You’re going to consistently see pressure which I think will be a good introduction to college basketball for some of our players.”
UT Rio Grande Valley
UT Rio Grande Valley, coached by Lane R. Lord since 2018, is led by forward Kade Hackerott, who averaged 12 points and eight rebounds last season and posted 20 points in their recent upset victory over the University of Houston. Forward Charlotte O’Keefe also contributed 18 points on 89% shooting in the same game. Last season, the Vaqueros finished 6-23 overall and last in several offensive categories within the Western Athletic Conference, including scoring and field goal percentage. However, their move to the Southland Conference seems to have given them new energy, evidenced by their win against the Cougars. Despite their recent struggles, UT Rio Grande Valley’s renewed approach means UTSA cannot afford to take them lightly.
Predictions
UTSA vs. Texas A&M: Given their recent performances, UTSA looks well-prepared to challenge Texas A&M. The Aggies’ struggles with turnovers and shooting present opportunities for UTSA’s defense to exploit. The Roadrunners’ rebounding advantage and defensive intensity, paired with their depth, could enable them to control the game tempo. Aston expressed confidence in their depth, stating, “We have depth at a lot of positions, which I hope enables us to make a consistent run.” If the Roadrunners use these aspects effectively, they could outlast the Aggies for an upset victory.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 66, Texas A&M 61
UTSA vs. UT Rio Grande Valley: UTSA remains the favorite, given their historical superiority and recent dominant performance. While UT Rio Grande Valley’s victory over Houston suggests they shouldn’t be underestimated, the Roadrunners’ defensive capabilities and offensive depth should secure a comfortable win if they maintain their consistency.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 81, UT Rio Grande Valley 68
