SAN ANTONIO — Stagnant offensive execution handicapped UTSA men’s basketball in its 82-58 defeat against the University of South Alabama on Sunday at the Convocation Center.
Despite a 17-point performance from senior guard Jamir Simpson, UTSA (4-4) failed to keep up with the defensive and offensive precision of the Jaguars (7-1). A disastrous shooting performance and pitiful zone offense quickly thrust UTSA into a double-digit deficit that it failed to climb out of. The Roadrunners shot nearly 25% from the field and a record-setting 14-56 from the three. The ‘Runners’ absence of offense quickly turned the contest into a lopsided victory for the Jaguars.
“There’s no excuse,” head coach Austin Claunch said. “They did a good job today. We got outcoached and outplayed top to bottom.”
UTSA looked stale from the opening tip. Facing a matchup zone defense, the Roadrunners lacked the aggression needed to compete with the Jaguars. The team was forced to shoot 26 threes in the first half, while only attempting nine shots from the paint. In a 10-minute stretch, UTSA had failed to record a single two-point attempt. Freshman guard Dorian Hayes single-handedly kept the team afloat in the opening period with 15 points but the ‘Runners struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm. UTSA ended the half trailing 44-31, shooting 31% from the floor and 26% from three.
“They were really good at sinking down and taking away things,” Hayes said. “I mean, obviously, with a zone, they want you to shoot it, and with their activity, it made it a little bit difficult.”
The second half was a disaster for the Roadrunners. What was once a competitive game quickly turned into what looked like an open run at a local gym. UTSA continued to struggle on the offensive side of the ball, this time turning the ball over and allowing flashy fast break scores from the Jaguars. Aimlessly droning the ball around the perimeter, the ‘Runners’ offense looked incompetent at best. South Alabama completely dismantled UTSA early in the second period, wiping away all hopes of a Roadrunner comeback victory.
“We have to emphasize things in practice that will help us share the ball more,” Claunch said. “We have got to be prepared and do a better job organizing these guys.”
UTSA will take on The University of Alabama at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Coleman Coliseum.
