The UTSA women’s basket- ball team (13-13, 4-9 C-USA) endured a difficult loss, falling 68-57 against the Old Dominion Monarchs (13-14, 6-7 C- USA) in their first meeting in school history on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Convocation Center.

“Without communication we defeat ourselves,” UTSA fresh- man Tesha Smith said after the tough loss.

Despite the loss, Smith shined for UTSA with 11 rebounds and 10 points. The freshman center was the top scorer for the game and led the team in rebounds. Smith averaged 14 points and nearly 12 rebounds throughout the week, earning her fourth double-double against Old Do- minion and ending her week winning the C-USA Freshman of the Week Award.

Things started off bright for the Roadrunners, with the UTSA defense protecting the paint and snatching 16 defensive rebounds in the first half. The Roadrunner’s offense did not fall short either. UTSA guard Miki Turner sparked the offense with six points and three assists by the end of the first half.

The Roadrunners defense forced the Monarchs to go 0-for-5 from the 3-point mark in the first half. But the defensive effort was not enough, as the Roadrunners were trail- ing 28-32 at the end of the first half.

UTSA started the second half slow, trailing by six points

within minutes of the second half whistle. Reluctant to give up, the Roadrunners shortened ODU’s lead with a 6-0 run, cut- ting the deficit to 36-39 in favor of the Monarchs. But ODU was quick to react, going on an 11-1 run to extend their lead.

The Roadrunners lacked communication and balance, allowing the Monarchs 19 points off turnovers in the second half. With only 16 points scored in the second half, the UTSA Roadrunners fell to the ODU Monarchs 68-57.

After failing to take advan- tage of second chance conver- sions and lacking a strong of- fense in the second half, UTSA Head Coach Luby Lichonczak was notably frustrated after the game.

“We couldn’t get to the line. I thought that was the difference in the ball game,” said Lichonczack.

The Roadrunners will take on the UTEP Miners Wednesday, Feb. 26 in El Paso, Texas. UTSA has three games remaining before entering the Conference USA Tournament.