The UTSA Roadrunners (4-8) defeated the Cameron Aggies (5-5) 64-56 on Tuesday, December 31.
With 2:37 remaining in the game and with the score tied 56-56, the Roadrunners put together an 8-0 run to seal the victory.
“We got a couple big stops and rebounds; that is what turned the game around at the end,” said UTSA Head Coach Brooks Thompson after the game.
UTSA senior guard Devon Agusi scored five of the final eight points for the Roadrunners. Agusi attacked the basket aggressively to close out the game, drawing multiple fouls while going 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.
“My mindset with Keon being out was to just be aggressive and take over,” Agusi said after the game.
Junior guard Keon Lewis was inactive due to an injury suffered at practice earlier this week. He is expected to be ready to play when the Roadrunners travel to play Arkansas.
Agusi finished with 28 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. The monstrous game from the senior guard did not go unnoticed.
“He did well. He is getting better every day, and that is all you can ask for from a young man who wants to work hard and get better,” said Coach Thompson.
Agusi, who joined the UTSA basketball team as a walk on the previous year, has had to work hard to get to where he is now.
“I believe in hard work, and I’m just thankful the coaches gave me this opportunity because they didn’t have to, and I just try to play every game like it’s my last because at any time it could be,” Agusi said.
Even though, the night belonged to Agusi it was a team win. At 9:34 in the second half, freshman forward Phillip Jones made a monstrous block that brought a majority of the crowd on its feet.
“That was a big block by Phil. He is one of those energetic guys whom you want on your team,” Agusi said.
Phillip Jones finished the game with five points and nine rebounds.
The win puts the Roadrunners at 4-8 for the season with one more non-conference game against Arkansas before conference play begins next week.
“I think our mentality is right. I think we’re working hard; we’ve had the best practices of the year coming off the break. We just have to get healthy, if we can get healthy then we will be alright,” said Coach Thompson.
This win was definitely a confidence builder for the Roadrunners, and may have been the game they have been looking for to jumpstart a run of a few more wins.
The Roadrunners start conference play at home next week on Thursday, January 9 and face off against the Marshall Thundering Herd (5-9) at 7:00 pm at the Convocation Center.
