Monthly Archives: November 2023

Freshman duo leads UTSA past New Mexico State, 58-55

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Idara Udo (No. 25) had a key blocked shot with 7 seconds left. UTSA beat New Mexico State 58-55 in women's basketball on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Forward Idara Udo (at right) blocked a shot and controlled it with seven seconds left in UTSA’s 58-55 victory over New Mexico State on Friday night at the Convocation Center. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special to The JB Replay

A women’s college basketball duel between scrappy defenses unfolded Friday night at the Convocation Center, and in the end, the UTSA Roadrunners out-scrapped the New Mexico State Aggies, 58-55.

The Roadrunners willed themselves out of a five-point halftime deficit and into the euphoric realm of their first victory of the season by holding the Aggies to a combined 24 points over the course of the third and fourth quarters.

Idara Udo (No. 25) had a key blocked shot with 7 seconds left. UTSA beat New Mexico State 58-55 in women's basketball on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Idara Udo screams in celebration after she blocks what could have been a game-tying field goal attempt by New Mexico State’s Molly Kaiser in the final seconds. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Another highlight of the team’s home opener centered around the play of two freshmen, guard Aysia Proctor and forward Idara Udo.

Proctor, who played in high school last season at Clemens in the San Antonio area, hit eight of nine shots from the field and scored a team-high 19 points.

Udo, from Plano East in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contributed a steal and a blocked shot in the final minute to help fend off the Aggies.

The last 2:34 of the game was definitely a “how-about-that” type of moment for 712 fans who were watching to see what would happen down the stretch without injured Roadrunners star forward Jordyn Jenkins.

The two freshmen didn’t flinch, and UTSA ended up celebrating a significant victory against a team that won 18 games last season.

“I loved it,” UTSA senior Kyra White said. “I believe they both played well. Aysia, I’ve seen it first hand, how she can score the basketball. So, just having that element out there, it really takes a lot of pressure off me, Sid (Love) and Elyssa (Coleman).

“And Idara just being a big physical presence down there, it allows us guards to know that we can get up and pressure the ball, knowing we have somebody at the back, behind us, protecting the rim.”

With the crowd on edge near the end of the game, Proctor circled the defense, caught a looping pass from White and hit a layup for five-point UTSA lead with 2:34 remaining.

Udo saved her dramatics for the final 31 seconds. First, she made a steal and then she blocked Molly Kaiser’s shot with seven seconds left.

After the block against a driving Kaiser, the crowd erupted, with Udo and teammate Hailey Atwood jumping up for an emphatic chest-bump.

“When she got that block, I was super excited for her,” said Proctor, who sank one of two free throws with three seconds left for the game’s final point. “That’s my girl, Idara.”

Aysia Proctor. UTSA beat New Mexico State 58-55 in women's basketball on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Freshman Aysia Proctor scored 19 points on eight-of-nine shooting in her UTSA home debut. – Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA opened the season on Monday on the road at Arizona State. Playing without Jenkins, who is recovering from a knee injury, it was not a positive experience for the Roadrunners, who fell behind by as many as 27 points before losing 70-55.

Against New Mexico State, UTSA shot it poorly in the first half but didn’t collapse.

“It’s been a long time since we played (at home),” UTSA coach Karen Aston said. “So I think it was exciting for everyone to get back in the Convo. It’s been a good place for us. Our crowds have grown. Our players get excited to play at home. We looked like a different team tonight than we did in Arizona.”

Aston said maybe the Roadrunners “took a growth step” in Arizona in learning how to deal with pressure. At Tempe, Aston said it looked like her players “played with fear.”

“Tonight I thought we stayed calm,” she said. “We didn’t look rattled by anything. It’s hard to describe how much we improved in 48 hours defensively, so I’m super proud of that. I think we’ll shoot the ball better than we shot tonight. I’m not worried about that. These kids are in the gym all the time. I know that improvement will happen.”

Records

New Mexico State 0-2
UTSA 1-1

Coming up

UTSA at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Wednesday, at 7 p.m.

Notable

The Roadrunners played extended portions of the game with an all-San Antonio area backcourt of Kyra White (Judson High School), Sidney Love (Steele) and Proctor (Clemens).

The second quarter opened with the game tied, but New Mexico State surged late in the period behind forward Tylie Jones to take a 31-26 lead.

Down by five at the break, the Roadrunners turned it on in the third period, outscoring the Aggies 19-9 to take a 45-40 advantage. Proctor and White had five points each in the run and Maya Linton, hustling on both ends of the floor, scored four.

Individuals

New Mexico State — Six-foot forward Tylie Jones scored 17 points and stepped out to hit four of five from the three-point arc. Guards Molly Kaiser and Sabou Gueye had 13 points apiece. Gueye was busy in many facets of the game, gathering seven rebounds (four on the offensive glass) and making four steals. Ene Adams led the Aggies with nine boards.

UTSA — Aysia Proctor scored 19 points and pulled down five rebounds in a little more than 22 minutes off the bench. She scored on drives, from the mid range and at the three-point line, where she knocked down two of three. Kyra White was all over the place on the box score, including scoring (13 points), rebounding (eight), assists (three) and steals (three). Idara Udo snared a team-high 11 rebounds, blocked two shots and scored two points. Elyssa Coleman, who was held scoreless before fouling out at Arizona State, bounced back with a seven-point, seven-rebound and four-block showing against New Mexico State.

Idara Udo (No. 25) had a key blocked shot with 7 seconds left. UTSA beat New Mexico State 58-55 in women's basketball on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

A moment to celebrate came late in the fourth quarter as UTSA players held on for their first victory of the season. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Minnesota shoots 54.5 percent and rolls past UTSA, 102-76

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Dawson Garcia scored 22 points and Isaiah Ihnen added 20 to lead five players in double figures as the Minnesota Golden Gophers scored an easy 102-76 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners Friday in men’s college basketball.

The Gophers shot 54.5 percent from the field and hit 14 three-point baskets in the game played at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Minnesota (2-0) stormed to a 54-30 lead at halftime and cruised the rest of the way.

UTSA (1-1) was led by Dre Fuller Jr. with 16 points and nine rebounds. PJ Carter contributed 15 points.

Coming up

UTSA at Lamar, Tuesday, at 7 p.m.

Notable

The Roadrunners lost their 26th straight game to a Power 5 opponent. The UTSA men haven’t won a game against a P5 in 14 years, since November of 2009, when they scored a victory at Iowa. Since then, the Roadrunners have been winless against teams from one of the five major conferences — the Big Ten, the Big 12, the ACC, the SEC or the Pac-12.

UTSA women in home opener Friday against New Mexico State

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By Jerry Briggs
For The JB Replay

The UTSA basketball teams return to action Friday, with the women hosting the New Mexico State Aggies and the men hitting the road to meet the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Here is a look at the matchups:

New Mexico State at UTSA women

At a glance: The Aggies (0-1) and the Roadrunners (0-1) will play Friday at 7 p.m. at the UTSA Convocation Center.

New Mexico State: The Aggies lost 68-57 at home Monday night to the Arizona Wildcats. Falling behind by 13 points after one quarter, New Mexico State rallied to make it close but couldn’t overcome 49 percent shooting by Arizona. Senior guard Molly Kaiser produced 22 points and six rebounds for the Aggies. Kaiser hit four of six from 3-point distance. Junior guard Sabou Gueye scored 13 points. New Mexico State has joined a revamped Conference USA, and in the C-USA preseason poll, the Aggies were picked sixth out of nine teams. Coach Jody Adams has entered her second season with the program, after leading New Mexico State last year to records of 18-17 and 10-8 in the Western Athletic Conference.

UTSA: Playing without injured star forward Jordyn Jenkins, the Roadrunners lost 70-55 at Arizona State on Monday night. Jenkins, the reigning Player of the Year in Conference USA, is likely out for the New Mexico State game and is considered week-to-week as she continues rehabilitation. On Monday, playing on the road in the Pac-12 in her absence, the Roadrunners fell behind 25-12 after one quarter and could not recover. Though they out-rebounded the Sun Devils by 10, a few of their interior players found themselves in foul trouble and two of them, Elyssa Coleman and Maya Linton, fouled out. Offensively, UTSA shot 34.5 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from three. Freshman power forward Idara Udo debuted with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Coming up: UTSA at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.

UTSA at Minnesota men

At a glance: The Roadrunners (1-0) and Golden Gophers (1-0) will meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Minneapolis.

UTSA: The Roadrunners won 78-68 in overtime Monday night against Western Illinois. Playing at home, they called on Christian Tucker and Trey Edmonds to make big plays in the extra period, when they outscored the Leathernecks, 13-3. Tucker finished with 18 points and eight assists. Edmonds had 15 points and eight rebounds. Roadrunners now look to carry the momentum into Minneapolis. In facing the Gophers, the Roadrunners are looking to snap a 25-game losing streak against Power 5 competition. They haven’t won a game against a team from the Big Ten, the Big 12, the ACC, the SEC or the Pac-12 since November of 2009 when the defeated Iowa (of the Big Ten) on the road. UTSA coach Steve Henson is 0-13 against the P5 in his seven previous seasons.

Minnesota: The Gophers played at home Monday and scored an 80-60 victory over Bethune-Cookman, Fla. Forward Dawson Garcia produced 23 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Garcia hit 14 of 16 at the free throw line. Minnesota led by 24 points at intermission and by 27 early in the second half, only to see Bethune-Cookman chip away and pull to within 10 with five minutes remaining. With Garcia leading the charge in the opener, the other frontcourt starters were 6-7 Joshua Ola-Joseph and 6-9 Pharrell Payne. In the backcourt, the Gophers went with 5-11 Howard transfer Elijah Hawkins and 6-4 Braeden Carrington. Minnesota finished 9-22 and 2-17 in the Big Ten last year. The Gophers, led by third-year coach Ben Johnson, are picked 14th (last) in the league.

Coming up: UTSA at Lamar, Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.

Trey Edmonds. UTSA beat McMurry 125-84 in a men's basketball exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

With a physical style, forward Trey Edmonds is emerging as one of the most significant newcomers on UTSA’s roster. – Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA opens season by beating Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime

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Christian Tucker. UTSA beat Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime in men's basketball on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Guard Christian Tucker sank 12 of 15 from the free-throw line and scored a team-high 18 points Monday as UTSA started its 43rd season of basketball with a 78-68 overtime victory against the Western Illinois Leathernecks. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

As far as the UTSA Roadrunners were concerned, overtime was winning time Monday night at the Convocation Center. The Roadrunners fended off a late challenge by the Western Illinois Leathernecks and won 78-68 in OT in the season-opener for both teams.

Guard Christian Tucker led the way, scoring 18 points and passing for eight assists.

Forward Trey Edmonds also came up big. In his first game with the Roadrunners, he produced seven clutch points in the extra period, helping to boost UTSA coach Steve Henson to his 100th career victory.

Steve Henson. UTSA beat Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime in men's basketball on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Steve Henson emerged with his 100th career victory on the strength of a solid defensive effort against Western Illinois in the season opener for both teams. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Afterward, Henson discussed with reporters how the Roadrunners steadied themselves to win it in the OT after allowing a five-point lead to slip away — shockingly — in the final 28 seconds of regulation.

“When you’ve got control of the game towards the end in regulation and you lose it in that fashion, you worry about how the guys are going to respond,” the coach said. “They had that shell-shocked look on their face when they came over to the huddle. We were trying to pump ’em back up there, and didn’t really know how they’d respond. Certainly, we did.”

Edmonds, a 6-foot-10, 255-pound transfer from Utah Tech, finished with 15 points and eight boards. Combining with seven-foot center Carlton Linguard, Jr., the twosome provided a formidable new look on the front line for the Roadrunners as they combined for 27 points and 18 rebounds.

Linguard, a transfer from Kansas State, produced 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in his first game at UTSA. The former Stevens High School standout, who was in the Roadrunners’ program last season but didn’t play, hit two of five shots from beyond three-point arc.

Additionally, two other transfers in their UTSA debuts played key roles. Six-foot-six senior Dre Fuller Jr. finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, while 6-4 guard Isaiah Wyatt came off the bench for 10 points and six boards.

Wyatt hit an eight-footer off the side with 1:52 remaining, a shot that sparked the Roadrunners on a 6-0 run to end the game.

Much of the conversation between reporters and the head coach afterward centered on Tucker, a 6-3 guard from Arizona who entered the program a few years ago as a walk-on. After being rewarded with a scholarship in the summer, he paid dividends in the season opener, scoring 15 of his points after intermission.

Time and again, he sped around screens, soared to the rim and got fouled. Once at the free-throw line, he made the Leathernecks pay, hitting 12 of 15 at the stripe, including 11 of 13 in the second half and beyond.

Trey Edmonds. UTSA beat Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime in men's basketball on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA forward Trey Edmonds utilized his size (6-10 255) and strength to contribute 15 points and eight rebounds. – Photo by Joe Alexander

“Down the stretch (in regulation) there was a lot of Christian Tucker with the ball in his hands,” Henson said. “(Defenders) were staying at home with guys on the perimeter (and) the bigs (for the Roadrunners) were doing a good job picking.”

As a result, Tucker was able to turn the corner and take it to the basket. In the overtime, UTSA took charge with a size advantage in the post. Tucker dumped it inside a couple of times to feed big men scoring.

Consequently, he finished the overtime with a near perfect line. One for one from the field. Two for two at the free-throw line. Four points. Two assists and zero turnovers.

Tucker credited his friends for creating driving lanes and setting him up to have success.

“I was just really proud of my teammates for staying solid during the overtime,” Tucker said. “A lot of people can fold under pressure when it gets away like that. We stayed (with it) and we’re leaving here 1-0.”

Guard James Dent Jr. led the Leathernecks with 20 points and seven rebounds. It was Dent who hit a three-pointer at the end of regulation to send the game into the overtime. Shay Davis scored 12 points and Jesiah West produced 11 points and 13 boards.

Western Illinois entered the game with the dubious distinction of being one of only 30 teams in NCAA Division I to never reach the NCAA tournament. The Leathernecks are credited in online reference material with playing their first season in 1981-82 — coincidentally, the same year that UTSA started its program.

Last season, Western Illinois finished 16-14 to record the program’s first above .500 record since 2012-13.

UTSA also entered the new season needing to establish some momentum. The Roadrunners have suffered through some discouraging times recently, finishing 10-22 in each of the past two years. UTSA has made it to the NCAAs four times, the last trip coming in 2010-11.

Coming up

UTSA at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m.

First half

All in all, the Roadrunners had to feel pretty good about themselves going into intermission. Despite shooting 23.7 percent from the field, they still managed to slug it out for a 28-28 halftime tie with the Leathernecks. Wyatt and Linguard scored six points apiece for the Roadrunners, who connected on only 9 of 38 field goals.

Dre Fuller Jr. UTSA beat Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime in men's basketball on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Dre Fuller Jr. overcame a poor shooting night to finish with 10 points and seven rebounds. – Photo by Joe Alexander

On the other end, UTSA displayed a fierce tenacity, protecting the rim and limiting the Leathernecks to 8 of 26 shooting. Shay Davis hit a couple of three-pointers and scored nine and James Dent Jr. had eight. UTSA’s interior defense proved to be more than reliable with Chandler Cuthrell pulling down six rebounds and recording two of the Roadrunners’ four first-half blocks.

Notable

UTSA, interestingly enough, scored 225 points in two exhibitions against non-scholarship programs over the past two weeks. Against McMurry last Monday, they shot 55 percent from the field. But for awhile against Western Illinois, they couldn’t get anything going. They started 3 for 20 from the field for 15 percent in the first 11 minutes.

In the end, the Roadrunners finished 4 for 4 afield in the OT, boosting them to 23 of 64 for the game — good for 35.9 percent.

Though their offense didn’t inspire awe, they did a good job preventing the Leathernecks from going on any extended runs. The visitors were held to 29.6 percent from the floor in the first half and finished the game at 32 percent. Western couldn’t get much of anything done at the three-point line, hitting only 21.4 percent. Guard Quinlan Bennett, one of the team’s leading returning scorers, was held to two points on one of six shooting

Carlton Linguard Jr. UTSA beat Western Illinois 78-68 in overtime in men's basketball on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Seven-foot Carlton Linguard Jr. made his UTSA debut and fared well with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. – Photo by Joe Alexander

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Winds of change: Onyema to Texas, Jackson to Western Kentucky and Nunez to Ole Miss

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UTEP's Ze'Rik Onyema, who played at Jay High School in San Antonio, at the Miners' game against UTSA at the Convocation Center on Feb. 11, 2023. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Forward Ze’Rik Onyema grew up in El Paso, moved to San Antonio and played at Jay High School and then signed out of high school with the UTEP Miners. Now he’s a member of the Texas Longhorns. In this file photo, Onyema warms up for UTEP before a game at UTSA on Feb. 11, 2023. – File photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Seasons change, and, inevitably, so do the rosters in NCAA Division I basketball. At least five former San Antonio area athletes in men’s hoops have transferred and have found new homes since the end of last season, according to online research.

Forward Ze’Rik Onyema has moved from UTEP to Texas. Guard Jalen Jackson, from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to Western Kentucky. Guard Ja’Sean Jackson, Jalen’s brother, from Abilene Christian to Lamar. Guard Austin Nunez, from Arizona State to Ole Miss. And, also, guard Juan Reyna, from Campbell to UTSA.

Editor’s note: Here’s an early look at San Antonio area talent in Division I men’s basketball. Likely, developments will necessitate changes in this list before too long. So, stay tuned for updates. — Thanks, Jerry.

Adam Benhayoune, LSU, a 6-5 junior guard from O’Connor HS

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Arkansas-Little Rock, a 6-8 freshman forward from Warren HS

Kwabena Davis, Army, a 6-3 senior guard from Steele HS

Kendrick De Luna, Cal State-Fullerton, a 6-10 freshman forward from TMI Episcopal

Marques Gates, Houston Christian, a 6-0 sophomore guard from Clemens HS

Kaden Gumbs, Texas State, a 6-1 freshman guard from San Marcos HS

Vincent Iwuchukwu, Southern Cal, a 7-1 sophomore center, formerly of Cole HS, La Lumiere, Ind., Montverde Academy, Fla., Southern California Academy

Jalen Jackson, Western Kentucky, a 5-11 grad senior guard from Wagner HS, transfer from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Ja’Sean Jackson, Lamar, a 6-0 junior guard from Wagner, transfer from Abilene Christian

Carlton Linguard Jr., UTSA, a 7-foot junior center from Stevens HS, transfer from Temple JC and Kansas State

Langston Love, Baylor, a 6-5 redshirt sophomore guard, formerly of Steele HS, Montverde Academy, Fla.

Jordan Mason, Texas State, a 6-2 sophomore guard from Clark

Kevin McCullar, Jr., Kansas, a 6-6 redshirt senior guard, formerly of Wagner HS, a transfer from Texas Tech.

Austin Nunez, Mississippi, a 6-2 sophomore guard from Wagner HS, transfer from Arizona State

Ze’Rik Onyema, Texas, a 6-8 junior forward from Jay HS, transfer from UTEP

Juan Reyna, UTSA, a 6-3 junior guard from Antonian, transfer from Alabama State, Campbell, S.C.

Brendan Wenzel, Wyoming, a 6-7 senior guard from O’Connor HS; transfer from Utah

Players with roots in the San Antonio area who attended high school elsewhere

Josiah Allick, Nebraska, a 6-8 senior from Lincoln North Star HS (Neb.), transfer from Missouri-Kansas City and New Mexico

Zach Clemence, Kansas, a 6-11 junior forward from Findlay Prep (Nev.) and Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.)

Micah Peavy, TCU, a 6-7 senior forward from Duncanville, transfer from Texas Tech

Women’s basketball: UTSA leads D-I programs with four players from the S.A. area

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Aysia Proctor at UTSA women's basketball practice on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Aysia Proctor is a UTSA freshman from Clemens High School. The Roadrunners open the season on the road tonight against the Arizona State Sun Devils. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

With NCAA Division I women’s basketball programs starting play today, it’s time to take a look at players from the San Antonio area.

Notably, I see that Carleigh Wenzel from O’Connor will be active at Virginia Tech this season after sitting out as a redshirt last year. Virginia Tech is one of the strongest programs in the nation, coming off a run to the Final Four. In addition, Deja Kelly, formerly of Johnson High School, is playing as a senior at North Carolina. Other SA-area players in so-called power conference programs include Texas A&M’s Sahara Jones, from Veterans Memorial, and TCU’s Aaliyah Roberson, from Clark. UTSA has assembled a strong contingent of four local players in Kyra White (Judson), Sidney Love (Steele), Alexis Parker (Brandeis) and Aysia Proctor (Clemens).

As usual, we’ll close by noting that this likely isn’t a list of every San Antonio female athlete playing at the highest level. But it’s gleaned partially from lists that I’ve published for a few years now, so, take it for what it’s worth. Naturally, I’ll update when new information comes to light.

San Antonio area athletes in NCAA Division I women’s basketball:

Hailey Adams, Rice, 6-1 guard, redshirt freshman from Clark HS

Myra Bell, UIW, 5-10 guard, senior from Taft HS

Layla Conley, Rice, 5-8 guard, freshman from Harlan HS

Jaylin Foster, Texas State, 6-0 forward, from Steele HS, transfer from Western Kentucky

Sahara Jones, Texas A&M, 6-0 guard, senior from Veterans Memorial

Sidney Love, UTSA, 5-8 guard, a sophomore from Steele HS

Ja’Shelle Johnson, UT Rio Grande Valley, a freshman from Johnson HS

Deja Kelly, North Carolina, 5-8 guard, a senior from San Antonio Johnson HS and Duncanville HS

Amira Mabry, Tulane, 6-0 forward, a sophomore from Judson HS

Aaliyah McMillan, UT Rio Grande Valley, 5-8 guard, RS sophomore from Steele HS; transfer from UT Arlington

Brenna Perez, UIW, 6-0 forward, senior from Veterans Memorial HS

Alexis Parker, UTSA, 5-9 guard, sophomore from Brandeis

Aysia Proctor, UTSA, 5-8 guard, freshman from Clemens

Tiffany Tullis, Texas State, 5-11 forward, junior from Cornerstone and Blinn College

Aaliyah Roberson, TCU, 6-2 forward, sophomore from Clark

Sammie Wagner, Oregon, 6-1 forward, redshirt freshman from Reagan

Carleigh Wenzel, Virginia Tech, 6-0 guard, redshirt freshman from O’Connor and Antonian

Kyra White, UTSA, 5-9 guard, a senior from Judson; transfer from USC

Show time: UTSA men host Western Illinois in season opener

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Adante' Holiman. UTSA beat McMurry 125-84 in a men's basketball exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Sophomore Adante’ Holiman is expected to start in the backcourt for the UTSA Roadrunners Monday night when they host the Western Illinois Leathernecks. The former prep star from McAlester, Okla., played a season at UT Rio Grande Valley last year and then elected to transfer. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special to The JB Replay

The UTSA Roadrunners blew out a couple of non-scholarship opponents recently, scoring 225 points combined in two lopsided exhibition victories. Now the regular season looms. UTSA will kick off its 43rd campaign in NCAA Division I men’s basketball when it hosts the Western Illinois Leathernecks Monday night at the Convocation Center.

“We’re trying to get that first real one,” sophomore guard Adante’ Holiman said. “Trying to get that first real one out the way. Everybody’s excited to get that jersey on, like everybody else. You know, we’ve seen the same bodies (in practice) for a while. The exhibitions (against Trinity and McMurry) helped us out a little bit. But now, getting to see a different opponent, a Division I opponent, everyone’s excited to see that.”

Holiman said he wants the fans, particularly the students, to turn out in force so that they can make a push for a winning season.

“We’re trying to get that (fan support) going a little early,” Holiman said. “(We want to) get some dubs, get some people in here. Hey man, I can’t wait. Just the feeling of it, the adrenaline at game time obviously is going to be crazy. We’ve been waiting for this for a while. Some of us have been here since May, waiting for this day. It came quick.”

After a second straight season of 22 losses concluded last March, UTSA lit up the transfer portal with 10 players electing to leave in search of better opportunities. Roadrunners coaches responded with a massive effort to re-tool the roster, signing 10 newcomers.

Based on the early returns, UTSA fared well in the remake. Several first-year players in the program have raised eyebrows with their talents, including Holiman, Dre Fuller Jr., Chandler Cuthrell — all transfers — and freshman Nazar Mahmoud.

Against Trinity, one player who was in the program last season but did not play stepped up to show in the first exhibition that he wants to make an impact. Seven-foot Carlton Linguard Jr. led eight players in double figures with 20 points and nine rebounds against Trinity.

In addition, the Roadrunners took liberties driving into the paint and kicking out to the perimeter, where they made 15 three-point baskets.

McMurry, meanwhile, more or less stayed home to defend perimeter shooters, but UTSA’s offense adjusted by driving it inside for easy baskets at the rim and scoring in transition (with 29 fast-break points). As a result, the Roadrunners shot 65 percent from the field in the first half and 55 percent for the game.

“We like our versatility,” Henson said recently. “We’re an older group. We’re not alone in saying that, in this day and age. There’s a lot of older teams right now. But we think this group’s got a chance with our versatility and hunger and desire to do something special.”

Coming up

Monday — Western Illinois at UTSA, 7 p.m.
Friday — UTSA at Minnesota, 6:30 p.m.

UTSA players to watch

Carlton Linguard, Jr. — Seven-foot center from Stevens HS, a transfer from Kansas State, is set to play a regular-season game for the first time since the spring of 2022 after sitting out last season at UTSA. Linguard had 29 points and 21 rebounds in two exhibitions.

UTSA men's basketball player Carlton Linguard Jr. at the Convocation Center on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. - photo by Joe Alexander

Carlton Linguard Jr. played in high school in the local area at Stevens. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Trey Edmonds — Power forward with a 6-10, 255-pound frame played the last two seasons at Utah Tech. He’ll be asked to supply rebounding, defense and a physical presence.

Dre Fuller Jr. — A small forward at 6-6 and 220 pounds will play for the first time since 2022 when he attended Central Florida. Fuller is adept at driving into the paint and either finding shooters on the perimeter or finishing at the rim.

Christian Tucker — The 6-foot-3 guard, in his third season at UTSA, will take on his biggest role since he’s been a Roadrunner. He’ll be tasked with pushing the pace and finding gaps to drive it inside.

Adante’ Holiman — A UTSA newcomer, at 6 feet, has shown ability to hit shots from the perimeter and score at the rim. The sophomore from Oklahoma shot 43 percent from three, including 50 percent in conference play, last year at UT Rio Grande Valley.

Chandler Cuthrell — Another newcomer who is expected to play a major role this season. The 6-8 forward, from Baltimore via Odessa College, can spring off the floor for rebounds — he had five off the offensive glass in each of the team’s two exhibition games — and can ignite emotions with his dunking ability.

PJ Carter — A lithe, 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 16.3 ppg last year at Georgia Highlands. He hit four 3-point shots combined in two exhibitions.

Nazar Mahmoud — The freshman from Leander, who played in prep school last year in Plano, has come on strong in two exhibitions with 26 points combined in two games. Mahmoud looks extremely comfortable launching shots from the three-point line.

Isaiah Wyatt — Native Ohioan played last year at Division II Chadron State. A 6-4 guard, he played a little tight in the exhibition against Trinity but calmed down and enjoyed a solid outing against McMurry.

Massal Diouf — Returning starter from last year likely will be utilized off the bench. The 6-9, 240-pounder is rounding into form after battling through knee rehabilitation this summer. If he can play with aggression and not foul, he’ll see consistent playing time.

Eye on opening night

Western Illinois is coming off a 16-14 season, the program’s first winning record since 2012-13. Returning starters are Jesiah West and Quinlan Bennett. Sixth man KJ Lee and reserve JJ Kalakon also return. James Dent Jr., Drew Cisse, Joe Petrakis and Ryan Myers highlight the newcomers. WIU reloaded the roster with eight transfers. Chad Boudreau takes over as Leatherneck head coach, being promoted from associate head coach last spring. Boudreau was the lead WIU assistant the past three seasons.

Nazar Mahmoud. UTSA beat McMurry 125-84 in a men's basketball exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Freshman Nazar Mahmoud had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists against McMurry last Monday night. – Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA basketball teams open regular season Monday

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Men’s basketball
Western Illinois at UTSA
Monday, 7 p.m.

Western Illinois at a glance: Coming off a 16-14 season, the program’s first winning record since 2012-13. Returning starters are Jesiah West and Quinlan Bennett. Sixth man KJ Lee and reserve JJ Kalakon also return. James Dent Jr., Drew Cisse, Joe Petrakis and Ryan Myers highlight the newcomers. WIU reloaded the roster with eight transfers. Chad Boudreau takes over as Leatherneck head coach, being promoted from associate head coach last spring. Boudreau was the lead WIU assistant the past three seasons. He previously was the head coach at Highland College in Freeport, Ill.

Women’s basketball
UTSA at Arizona State
Monday, 7 p.m.

Arizona State at a glance: Coming off an 8-20 season, including 1-17 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Sun Devils have 10 returning players and seven newcomers. Jaddan Simmons, who started 77 games over the past three seasons, averaged 12.4 ppg last year. Simmons was second on the team in scoring behind Tyi Skinner, who averaged 19.3. But Skinner is lost for the season due to a knee injury. Treasure Hunt is another key returning player, having averaged 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Making their ASU debuts will be Kadidia Toure, Marina Radocaj, Sandra Magolico, Kiley Sours-Miller, Hanna Miller, Mallory Miller and Jalyn Brown. Hanna and Mallory Miller are sisters.

UTSA women win, 67-46, in exhibition against St. Mary’s

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Kyra White. UTSA beat St. Mary's 67-46 in a women's basketball exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Kyra White hit three 3-point baskets in the fourth quarter Wednesday as UTSA pulled away and downed San Antonio’s St Mary’s University, 67-46, in an exhibition game at the Convocation Center. White finished with a team-high 19 points. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Idara Udo. UTSA beat St. Mary's 67-46 in a women's basketball exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Freshman forward Idara Udo produced 16 points and eight rebounds in her first game at home. Seven of her rebounds came on the offensive glass. – Joe Alexander

Sidney Love. UTSA beat St. Mary's 67-46 in a women's basketball exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Sophomore guard Sidney Love had 11 of her 14 points in the first quarter as UTSA took a 20-11 lead.. – Photo by Joe Alexander