SAN ANTONIO — A 22-point performance from senior guard Jamir Simpson and a season-high 17 points from graduate forward Daniel Akitoby were not enough to overcome careless mistakes in the game’s final moments as UTSA men’s basketball fell to East Carolina University 82-81 on Wednesday at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners (5-23, 1-15 AC) were outscored 4-0 in the final five seconds, surrendering their once double-digit lead. Despite East Carolina (11-18, 5-10 AC) missing numerous free throws down the stretch, the Pirates continued snagging offensive rebounds and scoring off second-chance opportunities. The Roadrunners held a three-point lead with mere seconds left, but two careless fouls sent the Pirates to the free throw line, allowing East Carolina to regain the lead. Freshman guard Dorian Hayes had a decent look to win the game, but missed the go-ahead attempt. Though they led for nearly the entire second half, and bested the Pirates in nearly every statistic, the ‘Runners left the Convocation Center with a crushing defeat.
“We had a chance to win the game, but we have to make one more play if we want to win a conference game,” head coach Austin Claunch said. “I’m proud of our guys that played, but we have to find a way to finish games.”
UTSA opted to foul East Carolina to prevent a three-point opportunity with seven seconds left. Pirates Guard Corey Caulker sank his first free throw to bring the game within two. After missing the second attempt, the Pirates fought for the offensive rebound and quickly kicked out to guard Demitri Gardner, who missed the three-point shot but was fouled by Hayes. The Pirates guard sank all three free throws to give themselves a one-point lead with three seconds left. Having used his last timeout in between Gardner’s free throws, Claunch had no time to draw up a play for his team. Hayes raced up the court and saw a clean look at the basket, but airballed.
“We wanted to foul,” Claunch said. “We had guys in there that can get rebounds. They just have to find a way to come up with that.”
The loss nullified one of UTSA’s best offensive performances of the season. The team shot 57% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Despite having six available players, four Roadrunners scored in double-digits. UTSA held the advantage for 22 minutes of play, including nearly all of the second half. The Roadrunners won the assist battle 19-12, and the team narrowly lost the rebounding battle 29-25. Though their offensive performance was incredibly impressive, the ‘Runners committed 17 turnovers, allowed 19 second-chance points and gave up 14 offensive rebounds.
“There are so many good things we did, that’s why it’s so hard,” Claunch claimed. “You did everything right, and then it’s just over.”
UTSA will take on Wichita State University for its final home game at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Convocation Center.
