HOUSTON – The UTSA women's basketball team battled to a tie in regulation, but fell to Houston in overtime, 93-89, on Monday at Fertitta Center.
GAME LEADERS
For the second consecutive game, Jordyn Jenkins led the team as she recorded her second double-double of the season, the seventh of her career. Jenkins notched a career-high 35 points, surpassing her previous single game best of 29 points which she recorded at USC last season. She completed the double-double with 11 rebounds. Three more Roadrunners turned in double-digit scoring games – Elyssa Coleman (15), Kyra White (12) and Alexis Parker (11).
UTSA led the game in field goal percentage (52 percent) and three-point field goal percentage (36 percent), while Houston led in free throw percentage (85 percent). The Roadrunners also led in total rebounds (44), second chance points (17), points in the paint (54) and fast break points (35).
BREAKDOWN OF THE GAME
The Houston Cougars jumped out to a 15-point lead in the first quarter, taking advantage of UTSA's 11 turnovers. Two made free throws by Jenkins with seven minutes on the clock cut the Roadrunners' deficit to one point, but the Cougars went on a 10-point scoring run to lead them to a 25-10 advantage after the first quarter. UTSA exploded for 20 points in the second quarter, while Houston recorded 16 points. Maya Linton made two free throws with 24 second left in the first half as the Roadrunners cut their deficit to 41-30 at halftime.
UTSA continued to inch its way back in the third quarter, outscoring Houston by 22 points to 17 points. The Roadrunners tied the score up twice in the third period, the first time during a 10-point scoring run topped with a layup by Alexis Parker with 2:55 on the clock and the second time on a made free throw by Coleman. The third quarter ended with a Houston lead of 58-52.
The Roadrunners used a 28-point final quarter to tie the game up at 80 apiece and take the game to overtime for the first time this season. UTSA went on a nine-point scoring run in the last minute and two seconds, beginning with a three-pointer by White and concluded with two made free throws by Linton to tie the game and take it to overtime. The Cougars struck first in overtime and went on a five-point scoring run early. Houston and UTSA battled back and forth for most of the overtime period but jumped out to a seven-point lead twice in that span. Deborah Nwakamma sunk a crucial three-point basket with six second left on the clock, but it was not enough as UTSA fell to Houston, 93-89.
UTSA's record falls to 2-7, while Houston's record improves to 3-9.
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners take a 10-day break for the holiday season then return to action on Dec. 29. UTSA is set to host Louisiana Tech to open up the Conference USA schedule on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Convocation Center.
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