By Jerry Briggs
For The JB Replay

Malene Pedersen poured in 15 of her game-high 24 points in the first half as the Wyoming Cowgirls dominated early in an 80-64 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners in the second round of the WNIT.

Playing at home, the Cowgirls of the Mountain West Conference pushed out to a 25-point lead at halftime and then held off the Roadrunners to advance to the tournament’s round of 16.

As the game ended in Laramie, Wyo., so, too, did the Roadrunners’ best season in 15 years. UTSA finished with an 18-15 record for its first winning season since 2015. The 18 wins were the most by a women’s basketball team at UTSA since the 2009 squad won 24.

UTSA also went 10-8 to finish tied for fourth in the American Athletic Conference. Playing in the American for the first time, the Roadrunners won a game at the AAC tournament and then bowed out in the semifinals.

Even with the loss, they advanced to the WNIT and won at home last Thursday in the first round, beating Northern Colorado, 80-62. It was the first win in a national postseason event for the UTSA women in their 43-year history.

The Cowgirls, playing on their home court, proved to be too tough for the Roadrunners. They shot 50 percent from the field for the game and made eight 3-pointers. Wyoming started fast, building a 26-8 lead after one quarter. By halftime, the Cowgirls’ lead ballooned to 45-20.

Jordyn Jenkins scored 28 points to lead the Roadrunners. Jenkins, in her 12th game since returning from an injury that kept her out for the first 21, capped her season by hitting 11 of 20 shots from the field.

Guard Sidney Love added 13 points and six rebounds.

Records

UTSA 18-15
Wyoming 17-14