With a 1-point lead late in the game, a costly turnover caused UTSA men’s basketball to lose 70-65 to East Carolina University on Thursday at Dickies Arena.
The Roadrunners (12-19, 6-12 AAC) battled the Pirates (19-13, 10-8 AAC) over the course of the game, with their largest deficit being eight points midway through the first period. The ‘Runners, spearheaded by guard duo senior Primo Spears and sophomore Marcus Millender, cut away at that deficit until the team found itself in a position to steal a postseason victory. Late-game blunders have plagued the team all year and cost UTSA the win — this time on the season’s biggest stage.
“I think that’s when Felton makes a tough play,” coach Austin Claunch said of the game’s final minute. “He’s a great player. There was a lot of really good individual performances tonight. He just made a good [play]. I thought it was pretty well defended. Throughout the course of the night, we had our own and they just kind of made the last one because we turned it over on the next possession.”
With one minute, 16 seconds remaining in the game, Millender made a driving second-chance layup to give UTSA a 63-62 lead. East Carolina guard RJ Felton connected on a tough jumper a few moments later to retake the lead for the Pirates. On the ensuing Roadrunner possession, freshman forward Baboucarr Njie turned the ball over. Felton proceeded to make one of two free throws and extend the Pirates’ lead to two. An offensive rebound from East Carolina on the second missed free throw allowed them to regain possession and force UTSA guard Tai’Reon Joseph to foul. A driving layup from Millender with seven seconds left gave the ‘Runners a glimmer of hope, but it was to no avail.
“Just a hard-fought, gritty college basketball game. Congratulations to coach Schwartz from ECU. He’s done a heck of a job. They’re a good team,” Claunch said.
In their final game as Roadrunners, Spears and graduate guard Damari Monsanto enjoyed standout performances, finishing with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Concluding his first year as the Roadrunners head coach, Claunch took a moment to thank both seniors and reflect on their impact on the program.
“For seven months, they’ve been the first guys in and the first guys out,” Claunch said of his senior duo. “They’ve laid a foundation now, obviously especially Primo being his last game here. I can’t thank him and Damari enough for their last year of college basketball, trusting me to be a part of something. I wish I could’ve done more for them. I love them. I’m proud of those two guys. I’m indebted to these guys, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them for the rest of their life.”
The Roadrunners will look to build off a promising rookie campaign from Claunch and improve in the program’s third year in the American Athletic Conference.
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