UTSA women’s basketball demonstrated grit by securing two key road victories against New Mexico State University and the University of Texas at El Paso. Both wins provided a strong boost to the Roadrunners’ early-season momentum, especially with exceptional performances from key players like senior forward Jordyn Jenkins.
In the team’s 75-61 triumph over New Mexico State, UTSA showcased its offensive firepower right from the start. The Roadrunners set the tone early with a 9-0 run in the first quarter, from which the Aggies could never recover. Jenkins was unstoppable, putting up 27 points on an efficient 9-for-14 shooting, while also securing 11 rebounds. Her ability to get to the free-throw line, converting all eight of her attempts, proved to be pivotal. Jenkins wasn’t the only key contributor. Graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron made a strong impact in her return from injury, knocking down four three-pointers on her way to a 14-point performance. UTSA’s ball movement was also sharp, with junior guard Sidney Love dishing out a game-high seven assists, helping the team shoot 45% from the field.
However, despite their offensive efficiency, the Roadrunners played somewhat timidly in the first half and struggled with ball security, committing 15 turnovers throughout the game. This allowed New Mexico State to chip away at their deficit and kept the game closer than it needed to be.
Against UTEP, UTSA found itself in a much tougher battle. After a rough first half where the Miners closed on a 15-3 run to take an 11-point lead into halftime, the Roadrunners had to dig deep to mount a comeback. It was Jenkins once again who rose to the occasion, scoring a season-high 30 points, with 28 of those coming in a blistering second half. Her play in the fourth quarter was pivotal, as she scored 15 points in the final six minutes, which helped the Roadrunners regain control. The turning point came when UTEP’s guard Portia Adams was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, allowing UTSA to swing the momentum with six straight free throws. De Leon Negron played a vital role as well, orchestrating the offense with 13 points and eight assists, while junior forward Maya Linton added a solid 12 points. The Roadrunners’ ability to adjust defensively in the second half enabled them to pull away with a hard-fought 78-73 victory.
Similarly to their game against New Mexico State, UTSA’s first-half struggles re-emerged against UTEP, as turnovers and inconsistent defensive pressure gave the Miners the upper hand. The Roadrunners committed 11 turnovers in the first half, allowing UTEP to build a significant lead. Additionally, UTEP’s efficient three-point shooting exposed gaps in UTSA’s perimeter defense, nearly costing them the game.
Coach Karen Aston has developed a Roadrunner team playing tough, physical basketball, combining tenacious defense with a resilient offense. With Jenkins in top form and several other players following suit, the ‘Runners are poised to continue their winning ways as they prepare to face a formidable Texas A&M-Corpus Christi team at the Convocation Center on Wednesday. Despite there being plenty of areas for improvement, UTSA’s momentum and home-court advantage make a 4-1 start to the season very achievable.
