A dominant rebounding and defensive performance by UTSA women’s basketball overwhelmed Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in the second half, propelling the Roadrunners to a commanding 62-43 victory Thursday at the Convocation Center.
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets. The Islanders struggled with turnovers, committing five in the first six minutes, many of which were forced by UTSA’s defense. Junior guard Nina De Leon Negron drained two of her three three-pointers on the night in the opening minutes, extending the ‘Runners lead to 12-3. Although UTSA would shoot just 2-10 from beyond the arc, they capitalized on their offensive rebounds. The Roadrunners’ defense continued to keep them in the game, and they finished the first quarter with a 14-9 lead.
“Playing with players like Jordy, Idara and Gony, they create wide open shots for me,” De Leon Negron said. “They make my game so much easier, I just need to be ready.”
In the second quarter, the Islanders’ defense came alive, while guard Jaeda Whitner hit a pair of three-pointers to tie the game at 15. The Islanders then took a 17-15 lead off a quick assist from guard Mireia Aguado. UTSA struggled offensively, shooting just one of six to start the quarter, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took advantage, going on a 25-9 run to grab a 28-21 lead. However, the Roadrunners fought back with a three-pointer from junior guard Siena Guttadauro and an and-one layup from senior forward Jordyn Jenkins to cut the deficit. Despite a strong finish, UTSA trailed 31-30 at the break, having shot just 30% in the second period.
UTSA came out of halftime energized. After junior forward Maya Linton’s three gave the Roadrunners a 34-31 lead, Jenkins continued her defensive dominance with a steal, leading to a layup by junior guard Sidney Love. The ‘Runners went on a 10-0 run to extend the lead to 40-31. The Islanders struggled, committing five turnovers and a shot-clock violation in the first few minutes. Jenkins, despite her shooting struggles, made her presence felt with three steals and three blocks, as UTSA outscored the Islanders 18-3 in the quarter and led 48-34 entering the final period.
“We emphasized defense this week,” Jenkins said. “Once we were helping each other out, steals were just coming naturally.”
Jenkins continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. De Leon Negron assisted Jenkins on an alley-oop for an and-one, and back-to-back steals by Jenkins and Love extended the lead to 55-36. UTSA limited Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to just nine points in the second half and forced 27 turnovers in the game. Jenkins finished with 16 points, five steals and four blocks, while De Leon Negron also scored 16 points and added three assists. Sophomore forward Idara Udo also grabbed nine of the team’s whopping 30 offensive rebounds.
“The biggest thing you can see in this group right now is the quiet confidence about themselves,” coach Karen Aston said. “We don’t get too rattled even when things aren’t going good.”
UTSA will next travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico to face the University of North Carolina at Greensboro at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum.
