CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Behind 18 points from senior Kyra White, the UTSA women's basketball team recovered from a 15-point deficit to claim a 66-59 overtime victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in nonconference action inside the Dugan Wellness Center.
The Roadrunners (2-1, 0-0 AAC) bested the Islanders (2-2, 0-0 SLC) as White led the contest in scoring, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc and 5-for-6 from the free throw line.
Joining her in the double-digit scoring club, redshirt junior Elyssa Coleman dropped 14 at an incredibly efficient 53.8% clip, and sophomore Sidney Love 10.
Classmates Maya Linton and Cheyenne Rowe each snagged seven rebounds, with White and freshman Idara Udo not far behind, grabbing six, and freshman Aysia Proctor five. Additionally, Love and White tied for the team lead in assists with five, and Love swiped three steals across the comeback.
The Islanders opened the contest working a 7-2 advantage before a pair of White free throws brought UTSA within three midway through the first quarter. Love then knocked down a jumper, pulling the 'Runners within one, resulting in a 7-6 score line. Shortly after, TAMUCC embarked on a 9-2 run before a bucket by Rowe wrapped up the frame with the Islanders leading, 16-10.
TAMUCC scored the first seven points in the second stanza, with a White bucket halting the run. A Procter jumper followed, seeing a 23-14 score, still favoring the Islanders. The teams then exchanged blows as halftime neared, with sophomore Siena Guttadauro and White knocking down triples before heading into the locker room down 33-20.
The Roadrunners started the third quarter hot, using multiple makes by Coleman and an Udo layup to cut their deficit to nine. Still leading 35-26, TAMUCC responded with a six-point surge, building a 41-26 lead. Still battling, makes from Love, Coleman, and senior Nissa Sam-Grant helped the Roadrunners work a 43-32 score entering the fourth.
UTSA kick-started the fourth quarter with an 11-0 surge featuring a trio of makes by Coleman as well as two free throws and a three-pointer for White. Still leading 43-41 with under seven minutes remaining in the contest, TAMUCC finally found the bottom of the net on a three-pointer, increasing their advantage to five. A back-and-forth slugfest ensued before a White triple at the two-minute warning pulled the Roadrunners within two. A Proctor jumper tied the contest, 51-51, and a White bucket handed UTSA their first lead of the game with 45 seconds remaining. Paige Allen then nailed two free throws for TAMUCC with nine seconds left in regulation. A Roadrunner turnover and a last-second foul sent the Islanders to the charity stripe with 0:00.9 on the game clock. TAMUCC, however, couldn't convert, sending the game into overtime with the scoreboard reading 53-53.
Two free throws for Love, a Coleman bucket, and a layup for Rowe allowed a scorching Roadrunner squad to claim a 59-53 advantage to start the overtime period. A pair of Islander freebies, followed by a corner three for Guttadauro, then saw a 62-55 UTSA lead. From there, the 'Runners used clutch free throws by Proctor, Love, and Rowe to keep the opposition at arm's length ahead of a 66-59 come-from-behind victory for UTSA.
The Roadrunners will look to win their third consecutive game on Saturday, with a 2 p.m. road matchup awaiting against UT Arlington at the College Park Center.
Keep up with UTSA Women's Basketball all season long on goutsa.com and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAWBB, X (Twitter) @UTSAWBB, and on Instagram @UTSA_WBB.
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