SAN ANTONIO — In its final home game of the season, UTSA women’s basketball went ice-cold offensively and continued its turnover struggles, falling 53-41 to the University of Tulsa on Wednesday at the Convocation Center.
UTSA (13-15, 8-9 AC) appeared poised for a strong night early, opening with a promising first quarter, before the game quickly unraveled. The Roadrunners produced arguably their worst offensive stretch of the year, scoring just one point while shooting 0-10 from the field and turning the ball over seven times. Despite the disastrous second quarter, Tulsa’s (19-10, 11-6 AC) offensive struggles allowed UTSA to remain within six points at halftime. However, any hope of a comeback faded in the second half, as guard Mady Cartwright ignited the Golden Hurricane offense, while UTSA continued to struggle to score and protect the ball. By the fourth quarter, the deficit had grown to double digits, and the Roadrunners’ inability to generate offense left a disappointed crowd watching several departing seniors walk off their home court for the final time in defeat.
“I thought it was a tremendous crowd,” coach Karen Aston said. “I’m disappointed for us and for UTSA that we didn’t perform better tonight. I thought Tulsa had a better game plan than we did and played better than us.”
The ‘Runners looked sharp to open the game, producing one of their strongest defensive stretches of the season. UTSA held the Golden Hurricane to just eight points in the first quarter while forcing airballs, offensive fouls and even a shot clock violation during a suffocating defensive run.
That momentum vanished in the second quarter as Tulsa’s pressure began to disrupt everything UTSA attempted offensively. Entry passes into the post became risky, perimeter passes were jumped by defenders and possessions repeatedly ended in steals or loose-ball scrambles. The Roadrunners struggled to get clean looks at the rim, often looking hesitant on drives and rushed on kick-outs. Meanwhile, the Golden Hurricane slowly capitalized from the perimeter, with guard Dora Toman knocking down multiple threes during a stretch where UTSA could not settle into any offensive rhythm.
UTSA briefly threatened to climb back into the game in the third quarter behind senior forward Cheyenne Rowe, who scored seven points early in the period and cut the deficit to four. Tulsa quickly answered as Cartwright found her rhythm, scoring 10 points in the quarter, including a deep three from the right wing that halted the momentum Rowe had begun to build for the Roadrunners.
“The third quarter is where it got away from us because we continued to not be able to execute offensively,” Aston said. “You can only play defense for so long. You have to put the ball in the basket.”
Desperately trying to claw back in the fourth quarter, UTSA leaned heavily on their inside game through Rowe and junior forward Idara Udo. The strategy backfired, as possessions ended with contested attempts in traffic, blocked shots and passes kicked back out that turned into turnovers. By the time the final minutes arrived, the outcome had already been sealed.
“I don’t think we’ll play like this again offensively,” Aston said. “We’re better than this.”
UTSA will end the regular season against Rice University at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tudor Fieldhouse.
