Despite a valiant second-half surge, UTSA women’s basketball lost 62-58 to Rice University at Dickies Arena.
The Roadrunners (26-4, 17-2 AAC) spent the majority of the game chasing the Owls (16-16, 8-11 AAC), who led by nine entering the final period. The ‘Runners cut their deficit to one point with 4:42 remaining in the game, but ultimately fell short in the final moments.
“Credit to Rice,” coach Karen Aston said post-game. “We couldn’t match the energy that they played with today. I thought they were quicker to the ball. They shot the ball better than we did today. I thought that we tried to change some things up, change some schemes, but again, we just couldn’t match what Rice brought today.”
Eight fourth-period points from senior forward Jordyn Jenkins swung the momentum in the Roadrunners’ favor late as the team brought the score to 52-51. Sophomore forward Idara Udo blocked the attempted rebuttal shot from Owls forward Malia Fisher, but Fisher stole the ball right back from Udo. The Owls bricked a three-point attempt, but they managed to get the offensive rebound and sank a second-chance three. Still within striking distance, a costly turnover from junior guard Sidney Love gave the possession back to Rice, and Owls guard Aniah Alexis drilled a jumper to push their lead to six points. Fisher picked up her second steal in a little over 30 seconds and swung the ball back out to guard Victoria Flores who nailed the dagger three.
“If I could’ve fixed it, I would have. I couldn’t figure out a combination or a scheme that would answer the way Rice played,” Aston said of the team’s struggles in the final moments.
Jenkins and graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron failed to pick up a single bucket in the opening period, but the ‘Runners exited the period with the lead thanks to contributions from Udo and junior forward Cheyenne Rowe.
Jenkins got back on track and dropped a team-leading seven second-period points. Rowe added four, and De Leon Negron picked up her first points in the match.
Rowe scored four points in each of the first three periods without missing a single shot; she inexplicably did not receive any attempts in the final period.
Jenkins led in points in her final American Athletic Conference game. Udo led in rebounds with eight, and Love dished out five assists. UTSA shot 34% from the field and 18% from beyond the arc.
“I’m a little disappointed right now. But we’ve had a legendary season this entire four or five months we’ve been putting in, so I’m proud of my team,” Jenkins said after the game.
The Roadrunners’ season is not over. Regular season conference champions get an automatic bid into the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The opening round of the WNIT will take place on March 20.
