SAN ANTONIO — With a postseason berth on the line, UTSA women’s basketball relied on its presence inside and weathered a second-half battle en route to a 67-55 Senior Night victory over the University of Memphis on Sunday at the Convocation Center.
Junior forward Idara Udo and senior forward Cheyenne Rowe dictated the terms in the paint, combining for 34 points and 17 rebounds while helping UTSA (13-14, 8-8 AC) dominate the glass 48-28. After building an 11-point lead early in the third quarter, the Roadrunners saw Memphis (9-20, 3-13 AC) claw back behind improved shooting and a brief zone trap that generated turnovers. But each time the Tigers threatened, UTSA returned to the paint, finishing the game on a 12-4 run to close the door and formally punch its ticket to the American Conference tournament.
“I feel like we’ve gotten away from playing physical and strong and dominating the glass,” Udo said. “Today was a statement game to get back into our old ways and into the physically imposing personality that we have as a team.”
Memphis opened the final period having hit seven of its last 11 shots after an 0-8 stretch to start the half, trimming what once felt like a comfortable Roadrunner lead to a five-point margin. Back-to-back turnovers gave the Tigers life, and Rowe struggled to find her midrange rhythm early in the quarter. With the offense stalling, the Convocation Center grew uneasy.
However, UTSA would steady itself the way it had all afternoon — inside. Udo backed down defenders for tough finishes; Rowe found space near the block, and senior guard Ereauna Hardaway stretched the lead back to double digits with a timely jumper. Sophomore guard Damara Allen later buried a three from the left wing to push the advantage to 13, capping a 9-0 burst that quieted the Tigers for good.
“Idara and Cheyenne were in a really good rhythm today,” coach Karen Aston said. “We were running actions that got them looks either in the high post or the low block. We kept it in the middle and let them be the decision-makers. I thought they did a really great job.”
The late separation was built on groundwork laid earlier in the third. After halftime, UTSA overwhelmed Memphis on the glass, outrebounding the Tigers 13-3 in the quarter and jumping ahead 43-28. Freshman guard Adriana Robles orchestrated the stretch with three rebounds and three assists in the opening minutes, while Udo’s size and physicality proved too much for Memphis to contain.
UTSA set the tone in the first half, as the Roadrunners attacked a lackadaisical Tigers interior defense in the opening quarter, scoring repeatedly at the rim through Udo, Hardaway and Robles. The Tigers managed just 4-16 shooting in the first period and threw up three airballs in the opening five minutes as the Roadrunners imposed their physicality.
Memphis responded in the second quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and briefly cutting the lead to four. A tense moment between Hardaway and guard Daejah Richmond resulted in technical fouls, adding emotion to an already choppy stretch. Still, UTSA carried a five-point edge into halftime and reestablished control after the break.
“My emotions were all over the place, but my main goal was to stay composed through everything because it’s still not over,” Rowe said. “We still have the conference tournament. So my goal is to just keep pushing and keep putting in the work that I do.”
UTSA will next play its final home game of the season, hosting the University of Tulsa at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Convocation Center.
