With five games left before UTSA heads to Las Vegas for the WAC tournament, the ’Runners are starting to come together. UTSA (7-19) defeated the Nicholls Colonels (7-18) on Feb. 23 at the Convocation Center, 76-58. More importantly, it’s the first time the ‘Runners have won two consecutive games since they beat Holy Cross and Old Dominion last November.
“We feel that we can win the rest of the games on our schedule,” said senior guard Kannon Burrage. “The momentum is definitely a plus for us.” Burrage led all scorers with 17 points, with most of them in the second half. Burrage scored 14 of the team’s 18 points in the second half.
Even with an impressive performance by UTSA’s offense, their defense seemed to come together. Michael Hale III had three steals with 16 points.
“If the team works as one, then, you will see the results you have seen lately…people have more pride,” said junior forward Jeromie Hill. With three of the WAC’s top scorers, UTSA has the ability to defeat their opponents in the final stretch of the season. “We have no problem scoring offense…if we can get a guy on defensively, we’re a dangerous team for sure,” Hill said. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds notching, his third double-double of the season.
Nicholls held the lead during the first 4 minutes until Hill scored a 3-pointer and tied the game. The ‘Runners rang off 4 more 3-pointers in a 3 minute time span and never relinquished the lead after that. JaMarkus Horace, who scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, led the Colonels.
UTSA held a 45-33 lead heading into the second half, but Nicholls came out strong, cutting the lead to 7. Burrage hit a 3-pointer that put UTSA back up by double digits and UTSA extended their lead to 23 points.
On Thursday, Feb. 28, UTSA will welcome the Idaho Vandals (10-16, 5-10 WAC), to San Antonio.
“We had opportunities at Idaho and we felt like we could have won that game,” said Head Coach Brooks Thompson. “I feel good going down the home stretch.”
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.