Category Archives: College basketball

Tulsa women down UTSA, earn double bye into American tournament

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Cheyenne Rowe. UTSA women's basketball lost to Tulsa 53-41 in the Roadrunners' final home game of the season on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA leading scorer Cheyenne Rowe produced 10 points and was held to three of 13 shooting from the field. – Photo by Joe Alexander


By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane held the UTSA women to 29 percent shooting from the field, while also forcing 22 turnovers, as they romped to a 53-41 victory Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.

With the win, the Golden Hurricane (19-10, 11-6) clinched the No. 4 seed and a double bye into the quarterfinals of the American Conference tournament.

Meanwhile, UTSA (13-15, 8-9) is currently holding onto the No. 6 seed, which would yield a single bye through to the tournament’s second round.

Karen Aston. UTSA women's basketball lost to Tulsa 53-41 in the Roadrunners' final home game of the season on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA coach Karen Aston’s team struggled offensively in the home finale, making only 13 field goals. The Roadrunners shot zero for 10 from the floor in a one-point second quarter. – Photo by Joe Alexander

The Roadrunners have one game left in the regular season. They play Saturday against the Rice Owls in Houston, and the Owls (27-3, 17-0) have already clinched the regular-season title.

The tournament will be held from March 10-14 in Birmingham, Ala.

For the Roadrunners, the final score against Tulsa was not what they wanted, especially in the last home game of the season.

“I wanted to say thanks to all the people that came out today,” UTSA coach Karen Aston said. “I thought it was a tremendous crowd. A lot of groups came out. A lot of student-athletes were here, supporting our team.

“You know, I’m disappointed that we didn’t play better for probably some first-time people that came to see us play,” she added. “I always feel like if someone comes to the gym to watch you play, then you try to give ’em a reason to come back.”

For Tulsa, the victory was meaningful on a number of fronts. First, the Hurricane gained a measure of payback against the Roadrunners, who beat them 66-47 on Feb. 7 in Tulsa.

Second, they also bounced back from a dispiriting loss Sunday in Houston in which the Owls recorded a 105-65 victory.

But, perhaps most importantly, the double bye in the tournament is valuable from the standpoint of rest and extra time to prepare.

Also, it means the Golden Hurricane will have a shorter route to the postseason title.

Tulsa coach Angie Nelp. UTSA women's basketball lost to Tulsa 53-41 in the Roadrunners' final home game of the season on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

After her team lost by 40 points at Rice on Sunday, Tulsa coach Angie Nelp said she was proud of her players for bouncing back against UTSA. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By opening in the quarterfinals, they can win the American and secure the NCAA tournament’s automatic bid with three wins in three days.

“Anytime you get a bye in a tournament, that always helps,” Tulsa coach Angie Nelp said. “We’ve got another game to play this Saturday (at home against East Carolina).

“It’s not going to be an easy game. So we’ve got to prepare well and compete. Having that double bye may give us an extra day’s rest (the following week).”

Against the Roadrunners, redshirt senior Hannah Reddick led the Golden Hurricane with 17 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Jade Clack had 11 points and forward Mady Cartwright 10.

San Antonio’s Alisha Peavy, a freshman guard, sparked the Golden Hurricane with four points and a team-leading eight rebounds.

For the Roadrunners, it was a struggle all night to get their power forwards into an offensive rhythm, as Cheyenne Rowe and Idara Udo combined to shoot only four of 21 from the floor.

Guard Ereauna Hardaway led the team with 11 points and five rebounds. Rowe had 10 points and nine boards. Udo, meanwhile, was held to six points and nine rebounds.

Records

Tulsa 19-10, 11-6
UTSA 13-15, 8-9

Coming up

UTSA at Rice, Saturday at 2 p.m.

Notable

Tulsa Alisha Peavy. UTSA women's basketball lost to Tulsa 53-41 in the Roadrunners' final home game of the season on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

San Antonio’s Alisha Peavy, a Tulsa freshman from Pieper High School, produced four points and a team-high eight rebounds. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Even if UTSA loses Saturday against Rice, its chances of holding onto the No. 6 seed and the first-round bye appear to be good.

Trailing UTSA in the standings are Florida Atlantic, Temple and Charlotte.

All have 7-10 records, raising the possibility of a tie for sixth place after the 18-game schedule is completed.

In that case, the Roadrunners would have an edge in that they are 1-0 against both Florida Atlantic and Charlotte and 2-0 against Temple.

First half

The Golden Hurricane held the Roadrunners to a single free throw and one point in the second quarter en route to taking a 19-13 lead at intermission.

UTSA’s offense went completely cold. Not only did the Roadrunners shoot zero for 10 from the field, they also turned it over seven times.

In the meantime, Tulsa forward Dora Toman hit two of her team’s three 3-point shots as the visitors stunned the home team, 11-1, in the period.

The Roadrunners stayed in the game with a strong defensive effort of their own. They held the Golden Hurricane to seven of 16 shooting for 26.9 percent in the half.

UTSA built a 12-8 lead after the first quarter. Ereauna Hardaway sank a three with 1.8 seconds remaining for the final points. The shot was also UTSA’s last field goal of the half.

In the half, the Roadrunners went five for 21 from the floor for 23 percent. They also committed 13 turnovers.

UTSA women, in their home finale, host Tulsa tonight

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA women hope to secure at least a sixth-place finish and a first-round bye in the American Conference basketball tournament when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane tonight at the Convocation Center.

In the last home game on the schedule and the second-to-last overall, the Roadrunners (13-14, 8-8) also hope to sweep the two-game series from the Golden Hurricane (18-10, 10-6).

UTSA will close out the schedule Saturday on the road against the Rice Owls, who have clinched the American’s regular-season championship.

The conference’s 10-team women’s tournament is set for March 10-14 in Birmingham, Ala. The top two teams earn a triple bye into the semifinals.

The third and fourth-place finishers will open in the quarterfinals.

Fifth and sixth-place teams get a single bye into the second round, which means UTSA likely is faced with winning four games in four days to win the title.

The Nos. 7 through 10 seeds all play on opening day.

Officials at UTSA say they believe the team may have already clinched a spot in the No. 6 slot. But the American hasn’t yet confirmed that is the case.

The Roadrunners downed the Golden Hurricane 66-47 in Oklahoma on Feb. 7.

Records

Tulsa 18-10, 10-6
UTSA 8-8, 13-14

Coming up

Tulsa at UTSA, tonight at 6:30
UTSA at Rice, Saturday at 2 p.m.

Notable

Tulsa guard Alisha Peavy is a freshman from San Antonio’s Pieper High School. Coming into the UTSA game, she was averaging 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Her father is Ben Peavy, who played in the 1990s for Charlie Boggess at Alamo Heights High School.

Also, her cousin is New Orleans Pelicans guard Micah Peavy. Micah Peavy played at Texas Tech, TCU and Georgetown.

Wichita State men roll to an 84-67 victory over UTSA

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Jamir Simpson. UTSA men's basketball lost to Wichita State 84-67 in American Conference action on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA senior Jamir Simpson, in his last game at home, played all 40 minutes and scored 21 points against the Wichita State Shockers. During the game, Simpson surpassed 2,000 points for his college career. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Guard Kenyon Giles scored 28 points Sunday, and the Wichita State Shockers dominated on defense and on the boards, dealing the UTSA Roadrunners an 84-67 loss on Senior Night.

In their last home game and the second-to-last of the season, the beleaguered Roadrunners played with only six players and stayed within single figures of the Shockers for about 17 minutes.

Baboucarr Njie. UTSA men's basketball lost to Wichita State 84-67 in American Conference action on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Sophomore Baboucarr Njie produced 21 points and seven rebounds. Njie hit eight of 15 shots from the field. – Photo by Joe Alexander

After that, the visitors from Kansas gradually pulled away for their fifth straight victory.

The Roadrunners lost their fourth straight and their 21st in their last 22 games. They finished with 11 straight losses at home.

UTSA will take a record of 5-24 and 1-16 in the American Conference into its season finale a week from today at Houston against the Rice Owls.

Senior Jamir Simpson and sophomore Baboucarr Njie scored 21 points apiece to lead the Roadrunners. Simpson, from Lima, Ohio, eclipsed the 2,000-point mark for his college career.

Forward Daniel Akitoby produced 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Defense was the name of the game for the Shockers, who held to Roadrunners to 33.3 percent shooting, including 20.6 percent in the first half.

In addition, Wichita State won the rebounding battle, 55-38. Of their 55 boards, 21 came on the offensive glass.

The Shockers also blocked eight shots and produced four steals in improving their record to 20-10 and 12-5.

UTSA coach Austin Claunch acknowledged that his team played hard, but he added that the Roadrunners could have played better than they did.

“First half, our rhythm wasn’t there … We missed some that we normally make. Just wasn’t a great first half, and we’re playing a good team,” Claunch said.

Wichita State coach Paul Mills. UTSA men's basketball lost to Wichita State 84-67 in American Conference action on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Wichita State is bidding for a top-two finish and a triple bye into the American Conference tournament under third-year coach Paul Mills. – Photo by Joe Alexander

“We did a good job on Giles in the first half,” the coach added. “Now you’re trying to play catch up, so the game is getting a little more loose and he gets a one-pass three. Just can’t happen.

“We made too many mental mistakes to beat a good team.”

Giles, a 5-10 guard from Chesapeake, Va., is a Player of the Year Candidate in the American. He entered the game averaging 19.2 points.

The transfer from UNC Greensboro came in shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three. Against UTSA, he shot 11 of 27 from the field and six of 15 from long distance.

Giles hit five threes in the second half on eight of 14 shooting.

Records

Wichita State 20-10, 12-5
UTSA 5-24, 1-16

Coming up

UTSA at Rice, Sunday, 2 p.m.

Notable

UTSA’s 24 losses tie the 1985-86 team for second-most in program history.

Coach Don Eddy’s last team at UTSA finished 7-24. The program record for losses in a season is 27. Coach Brooks Thompson’s last team in 2015-16 finished 5-27.

Wichita State is bidding for a top-two finish in the American Conference. With one game to play, the Shockers are 20-10 on the season and 12-5 in conference. Tulsa is third at 23-6 and 11-5.

If Wichita State can finish in the top two, it would give the Shockers a triple bye in the tournament, all the way through to the semifinals.

That means they’d only need to win two games in two days at Birmingham to claim the conference’s postseason title and automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

First half

Dillon Battie scored 12 points, and Wichita State held UTSA to 20.6 percent shooting to build a 41-29 lead at intermission.

The Shockers broke the game open in the last seven minutes, defending, blocking shots and going on a 15-7 run.

Wichita State Kenyon Giles. UTSA men's basketball lost to Wichita State 84-67 in American Conference action on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Wichita State guard Kenyon Giles poured in 21 of his 28 points in the second half against UTSA. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Giles started the burst with a three-pointer. Battie connected on a couple of free throws and then 7-foot-2 Will Berg rebounded and hit a follow shot, making it a 33-22 ball game.

Wichita State blocked five shots in the half, including two by TJ Williams.

Giles, the Shockers’ leading scorer, knocked down a 14-footer for the last basket of the half.

The 5-10 guard from Chesapeake, Va., was held to seven points on three of 13 shooting in the opening 20 minutes.

UTSA women hold off Memphis to snap a three-game losing streak

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Idara Udo. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Junior forward Idara Udo contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as UTSA beat Memphis to split two games in the season series. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA Roadrunners executed four straight plays on the offensive end in the final minutes, scoring nine points in a row on those possessions, to down the Memphis Tigers 67-55 on Sunday afternoon in American Conference women’s basketball.

Having clinched a berth in the American’s postseason tournament on Saturday night when Tulsa beat Wichita State, UTSA (13-14, 8-8) still wanted to win on Senior Day and make amends for an earlier loss to Memphis.

Cheyenne Rowe. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

After recognition in a pre-game ceremony on Senior Day, Cheyenne Rowe had 16 points and nine rebounds against the Memphis Tigers. – Photo by Joe Alexander

They also wanted to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Roadrunners succeeded on all fronts by building an early lead and then holding off the Tigers (9-20, 3-13) at the end with a late push led by Cheyenne Rowe, Idara Udo and Ereauna Hardaway.

Rowe and Hardaway were two of the UTSA seniors recognized in a pre-game ceremony.

“It was good to get back home and get on the winning side of the game,” UTSA coach Karen Aston said. “Just a fantastic effort, I thought, on our part to see seniors go out in a winning fashion.

“But, really, just our team getting back to winning ways. I’m super proud of the way we followed the game plan and stayed composed throughout the game.”

Udo led the Roadrunners with 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Rowe, a 6-2 senior from Ontario, Canada, contributed 16 points and nine boards. Hardaway, a 5-8 guard from Jonesboro, Ark., delivered 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Guard Daejah Richmond paced the Tigers with 17 points and four assists.

Amauri Williams scored 11. With the loss, Memphis was eliminated from contention for the conference tournament.

UTSA switched up personnel in the starting lineup and then pulled out to an 18-10 lead after the first quarter.

Inserted as a starter, freshman Adriana Robles added speed to the lineup. She also produced nine points and five assists against only one turnover.

Robles also pulled down six rebounds on a day when UTSA dominated on the boards, 48-28.

Records

Memphis 9-20, 3-13
UTSA 13-14, 8-8

Ereauna Hardaway. UTSA beat Memphis 67-55 in American Conference women's basketball on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Senior Ereauna Hardaway contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists as UTSA avenged an earlier loss to Memphis. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Coming up

Tulsa at UTSA, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
UTSA at Rice, Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.

Notable

The Roadrunners sit in sixth place in the American Conference standings leading into their last two games of the regular season. At 8-8, the Roadrunners are two games behind 10-6 and fifth-place Tulsa and one ahead of 7-9 Temple and Charlotte.

A seeding of fifth or sixth would be advantageous for UTSA in that it would give the team a first-round bye in the tournament. Falling to seventh or lower would be perilous, in that the No. 7 through 10 seeds don’t get a bye.

In other words, finishing seventh would mean UTSA would need to win five games in five days to win the postseason title and qualify for the NCAA tournament. Finishing fifth or sixth means that the team would need four wins in four days.

UTSA’s two remaining conference games will be challenging. The Roadrunners host Tulsa (18-10, 10-6) on Wednesday. They will finish on the road against regular-season champion Rice (26-3, 16-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Third quarter

The Roadrunners opened the second half on 12-3 run, expanding their lead to 42-28.

Undaunted, the Tigers started pressing after their own field goal makes and speeding up the action. At the end of the period, UTSA led 51-44.

Udo scored nine points in the quarter for UTSA, and Williams had 11 for Memphis.

First half

The Roadrunners rode an 18-point first quarter to a 30-25 halftime lead on the Tigers.

The half ended on a bizarre note, with a foul called to prompt a stop in the action with 13.2 seconds left.

Richmond responded by flipping the ball up to hit Hardaway. Hardaway retaliated by tossing the ball back at Richmond, drawing whistles from the referees.

Both players were hit with technical fouls.

The story of the half for the Roadrunners centered on their first-quarter scoring.

Limited to 13 points or less in their last five first quarters, they shot 41 percent to take an 18-10 lead on the Tigers.

Freshman Adriana Robles started at guard for the Roadrunners along with the other regular starters, including Hardaway, Mia Hammonds, Idara Udo and Cheyenne Rowe.

Damara Allen came off the bench.

Basketball: UTSA women and men to recognize seniors

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA women have clinched a berth in the 10-team American Conference women’s basketball tournament, a team spokesman said Sunday.

The spokesman said the Roadrunners clinched on Saturday when Tulane defeated Wichita State.

UTSA will host the Memphis Tigers on Sunday at 3 p.m. Before the game, the Roadrunners will honor Cheyenne Rowe, Ereauna Hardaway and Nyayongah Gony on Senior Day.

Records

Memphis 9-19, 3-12
UTSA 12-14, 7-8

Coming up

Tulsa at UTSA, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
UTSA at Rice, Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball

In the second game of a basketball doubleheader at the Convocation Center, the Roadrunners men will host the Wichita State Shockers at 7 p.m.

UTSA will hold a postgame ceremony on Senior Night, recognizing Stanley Borden, LJ Brown, Mo Njie and Jamir Simpson.

Records

Wichita State 19-10, 11-5
UTSA 5-23, 1-15
x-UTSA has been eliminated from tournament consideration

Coming up

UTSA at Rice, Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m.

East Carolina rallies with free throws in the final seconds to beat UTSA, 82-81

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Jamir Simpson. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA senior Jamir Simpson produced a team-high 22 points, 10 assists and five steals. – Photo by Joe Alexander

By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Senior guard Demitri Gardner grabbed an offensive rebound and hit three free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining Wednesday night to lift the East Carolina Pirates to an 82-81 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners in American Conference men’s basketball.

“Really tough loss,” UTSA coach Austin Claunch said. “Really proud of the six guys that played. Obviously we’re really banged up right now. Those six really battled and gave us a chance to win.

“Got to make one more play to win.”

In a game played in front of an announced 1,037 at the Convocation Center, the Pirates trailed by 11 points early in the second half and scored 11 in a row to get back into contention.

For the remainder of the game, UTSA held a one- or two-possession lead for most of the rest of the way. With 7.2 seconds remaining, Jamir Simpson knocked down two free throws to give the Roadrunners an 81-78 edge.

Austin Claunch. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

Coach Austin Claunch said the Roadrunners played with only six healthy scholarship players. – Photo by Joe Alexander

From there, the Pirates inbounded and rushed it up the court. ECU guard Corey Caulker was fouled with 5.1 seconds left. With Caulker at the line, he made the first free throw and missed the next one.

The ball caromed high above the lane, where it appeared a UTSA player tipped it outside.

Gardner grabbed it and went up for a shot and was fouled by UTSA’s Dorian Hayes. Because he was outside the 3-point arc when he shot it, he was rewarded with three free throws.

At the stripe with ECU down by two and the game on the line, the former Division II player at Augusta (Ga.) made the first two to tie it.

At that point, UTSA called time. When the teams returned to the floor, Gardner hit the go-ahead free throw for the final point of the game.

UTSA inbounded and threw the ball to the other end, but a three by Hayes was defended well and off the mark. With the win, the Pirates (10-18, 5-10 in the American) kept alive their hopes for a conference tournament bid.

The Roadrunners (5-23, 1-15) have already been eliminated from tournament contention, but with the setback, they fell deeper into the cellar in the American. They have lost three in a row and 20 of their last 21.

In addition, they have dropped 10 straight at home, with the home finale set for Sunday night against Wichita State.

Their last win at the Convocation Center came on Nov. 18 when they defeated sub-NCAA Southwestern Christian, 103-70.

Claunch said that on Caulker’s missed free throw, the Roadrunners “had guys that had rebounds in there, and we’ve got to find a way to come up with that.

East Carolina coach Michael Schwartz. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

East Carolina coach Michael Schwartz has seen his team rally to beat UTSA in San Antonio by one point in each of the last two seasons. – Photo by Joe Alexander

“Again, I don’t know who was where, exactly, and how it got tipped around,” he added. “I know we had the ball in our hands. It looked like the ball was up. You got to squeeze it … go make your free throws and win the game.

“And so, just a learning experience for some young guys. A tough one. A tough one to learn.”

With the win, East Carolina swept the season series against UTSA. Two weeks ago, the Pirates beat the Roadrunners 88-72 in Greenville, N.C.

Individuals

East Carolina – Jordan Riley, the second-leading scorer in the nation, produced 27 points. Riley connected on seven field goals, including three 3-pointers. He also made 10 free throws in 14 attempts. Gardner finished with 13 points, while Caulker had 12 and Giovanni Emejuru 11.

UTSA – Jamir Simpson led the Roadrunners with 22 points on eight of 11 shooting. He also passed for 10 assists. Hayes had 18 points and knocked down four three pointers. Daniel Akitoby scored 17 and made eight of 11 from the field, including three first-half dunks. Brent Moss finished with 10 points.

Records

East Carolina 10-18, 5-10
UTSA 5-23, 1-15

Coming up

Wichita State at UTSA, Sunday, 7 p.m.

Daniel Akitoby. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA forward Daniel Akitoby enjoyed a big game with 17 points and nine rebounds. He threw down three dunks and shot eight for 11 from the field. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Notable

UTSA’s heartbreaking loss felt a little like last year. On Feb. 8, 2025, the Roadrunners hosted the Pirates at the Convocation Center and had them beat, leading by four points in the final minute.

But after they committed two turnovers in the last 21 seconds, the Roadrunners gave up a three-point play to Jordan Riley and then a turnaround jumper to C.J. Walker. Ultimately, they fell to the Pirates, 80-79.

East Carolina is 8-0 all time against UTSA.

East Carolina guard Demitri Gardner joined the team at the semester break after spending the past three seasons at NCAA Division II Augusta University (Ga.)

He entered the UTSA game averaging 11 points and shooting 87.5 percent at the free-throw line. He was four of five at the stripe against the Roadrunners.

Claunch mentioned in his postgame news conference that UTSA is down to six healthy scholarship players.

“I’m really proud of how they fought,” the coach said. “Two guys (Dorian Hayes and Jamir Simpson) played 40 minutes. We’re down to six scholarship healthy players right now. And they deserved to win. But you got to finish. You got to finish everything.

“Played well enough to put ourselves in position, and like I say, you got to go make one more play. I’m proud of those six guys competing, the way they’re competing through everything.

“Really says a lot about who they are.”

Dorian Hayes. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA guard Dorian Hayes scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. He hit four 3-point baskets. – Photo by Joe Alexander

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, the American Conference’s player availability report listed six UTSA players as not available, either out for the game or for the season.

Two players who were not on the inactive list did not play against the Pirates. Those two were forward Kaidon Rayfield, a freshman forward who is on scholarship, and guard LJ Brown, a walk on point guard.

Both Rayfield and Brown played in UTSA’s last game, a 100-77 road loss on Sunday at Tulsa. Claunch said the 6-foot-9 Rayfield aggravated an ankle injury at Tulsa.

Moss, one of UTSA’s best players over the past month, suffered an apparent ankle injury in the second half against East Carolina.

“Right now he’s kind of playing on adrenaline,” Claunch said. “I’m sure he’ll be walking gingerly tomorrow.

“We won’t be doing anything tomorrow. Got to see about Friday. Probably do something (like) walk through. Same thing Saturday at this point. We got to make sure we’re at our highest energy level on Sunday night.”

After hosting Wichita State on Sunday, UTSA’s season finale is set for the following Sunday, March 8, at Rice University.

First half

The Roadrunners shot a sizzling 62 percent from the field and surged behind Akitoby and Hayes to a 43-24 halftime lead.

Akitoby knocked down a three-pointer and had three dunks against the East Carolina zone defense en route to 13 points.

Hayes also scored 13 on four of seven shooting. The freshman from Houston hit three from beyond the 3-point arc.

Riley, the second leading scorer in the nation, scored nine. He also had a couple of assists and three steals.

East Carolina's Jordan Riley. UTSA lost to East Carolina 82-81 in American Conference men's basketball on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at the Convocation Center. - Photo by Joe Alexander

East Carolina’s Jordan Riley, the second-leading scorer in the nation, produced 18 of his 27 points in the second half as the Pirates rallied for an 82-81 victory at the Convocation Center. – Photo by Joe Alexander

UTSA men’s basketball hopes to win out with three games left

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Even with the UTSA men’s basketball team eliminated from a chance to secure a berth in the American Conference tournament, Coach Austin Claunch has a goal with three games left to play in a dismal season.

“We intend to win all three,” he said.

Claunch’s quest starts Wednesday night at the Convocation Center when the Roadrunners (5-22, 1-14) host Jordan Riley and the East Carolina Pirates (9-18, 4-10).

The Pirates beat the Roadrunners 88-72 two weeks ago in Greenville, N.C. It was the 17th straight loss for UTSA in a program-record skid.

Since then, UTSA broke the streak with an 88-79 victory at Charlotte and then dropped two games, losing 60-52 at home to the Florida Atlantic University Owls and then getting blown out 100-74 at Tulsa.

Riley is the leading scorer in the American and No. 2 in the nation, averaging 23.6 points per game.

The Roadrunners did a respectable job on Riley in Greenville, holding him to 19 points on five of 14 shooting. But the Pirates compensated by shooting 46 percent as a team and had three other players in double figures.

Guard Isaiah Mbeng hit four 3-pointers and scored 18.

The Pirates won the game in the first half when they held the Roadrunners to 28 percent shooting and bolted to a 46-31 lead.

According to the conference’s player availability report, both Austin Nunez and Mo Njie are out for Wednesday night’s game, bringing to six the number of players on the roster inactive for the third-to-last game in the regular season.

UTSA will have eight players available to play against East Carolina.

Records

UTSA 5-22, 1-14
East Carolina 9-18, 4-10

Coming up

Wichita State at UTSA, Sunday, 7 p.m.

North Texas women roll past UTSA, 87-63

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Guard Andi Schissler hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points Tuesday night to lead the North Texas Mean Green in an 87-63 romp over the UTSA Roadrunners in American Conference women’s basketball.

Starting fast in the game played at the Super Pit in Denton, North Texas built the lead to 27 late in the first half and then to as many as 38 early in the fourth quarter, before cruising to the win over its in-state rival.

In winning its fourth straight game, North Texas sent defending conference champion UTSA to its third straight loss. Roadrunners guard Ereauna Hardaway returned to the court she once called home and scored 19.

Hardaway also notched three rebounds and three assists. Cheyenne Rowe added 12 points and six rebounds. Idara Udo contributed nine rebounds and six points.

For North Texas, Chania Price knocked down five of six from the field and scored 14 points, while guards Aysia Proctor added 12 and Mekhia Chase 11. Proctor played the last two seasons at UTSA.

Records

UTSA 12-14, 7-8
North Texas 17-11, 11-5

Coming up

Memphis at UTSA, Sunday, 3:05 p.m.

Popoola scores 26 as the Tulsa men run away from UTSA, 100-74

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Guard Ade Popoola exploded for 26 points and 10 rebounds Sunday, boosting the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to a 100-74 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners in American Conference men’s basketball.

Tulsa shot 54 percent from the field in moving into a tie for second place in the American. The Golden Hurricane rang up the third-most points against the last-place Roadrunners this season.

In the game played at the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla., Jamir Simpson scored 20 and Dorian Hayes had 19 to lead UTSA. The Roadrunners have lost two straight and 19 of their last 20 games.

Records

UTSA 5-22, 1-14
Tulsa 22-6, 10-5

Coming up

East Carolina at UTSA, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Wichita State at UTSA, Sunday, 7 p.m.
UTSA at Rice, Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m.

Last-place Wichita State women hold off UTSA, 62-61

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

The UTSA women’s basketball team traveled to Kansas to play the last-place Wichita State Shockers on Saturday, intent on generating momentum by picking up a victory in their fifth-to-last, regular-season game.

The Shockers had other ideas entirely, breaking open a close battle behind Jaila Harding in the third quarter and then holding on to defeat the defending conference champions, 62-61, at Koch Arena.

For the Roadrunners, it was a humbling experience, losing for the third time this season against a bottom-of-the-pack team in the American Conference.

It was also frustrating. They trailed by 10 with seven minutes remaining and made a furious charge that brought them to within one in the final 40 seconds.

After a Damara Allen basket pulled UTSA within the final score, the Roadrunners made a defensive stop. Going for the win, they pushed it up the court, with guard Ereauna Hardaway on the dribble.

When she dribbled into the key, Hardaway went up for the shot, but it was blocked by Jaida McDonald as time expired.

Harding, a graduate transfer from New Mexico State, led the Shockers with 19 points. She had 12 in the third quarter as her team started to take control of the game. Abby Cater scored 12 and Diamond Richardson 11.

Cheyenne Rowe, UTSA’s leading scorer, contributed 23 for the Roadrunners for her fourth effort in the 20s this season. In the end, it was Rowe leading the comeback, as she notched 12 in the fourth period.

Idara Udo had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The loss, UTSA’s second straight, left the Roadrunners (12-13, 7-7) in sixth place in the American. South Florida and North Texas (both 9-5) sit just ahead of UTSA in the standings.

Charlotte (6-7) is a half game behind going into a game scheduled later Saturday at North Texas.

Ten teams qualify for the American’s postseason event, with the tournament scheduled for March 10-14 in Birmingham. Teams seeded seventh through 10th must win five games in five days to win the title.

The fifth and sixth seeds get a first-round bye and a four-game route to the championship. Teams seeded third and fourth are rewarded with a double bye and can get the title and the NCAA automatic bid with three wins.

Records

UTSA 12-13, 7-7
Wichita State 6-21, 3-11

Coming up

UTSA at North Texas, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

First half

In the first half, UTSA played a more physical style and dominated in rebounding, 23-12. But Wichita State scored eight points off 18 turnovers. By intermission, the teams went into intermission tied, 24-24.

For the Roadrunners, forward Rowe led with seven points, while Udo scored six and pulled down nine rebounds. Harding scored seven points to lead the Shockers.

Forward Treasure Thompson scored five points in the half as the Shockers outscored the Roadrunners in bench points, 11-0.

First quarter

They Roadrunners didn’t play their best in the first quarter, but they did emerge with a 12-11 lead when forward Rowe hit a long jumper from the top of the key at the buzzer.

Forward Mia Hammonds contributed six points in the period, getting one bucket on a driving layup off the fast break and also hitting four for four at the free-throw line.

The Shockers played well defensively, holding the Roadrunners to four of 13 shooting from the field and forcing four turnovers. Jaila Harding had four points in the period.

Second quarter

Wichita State continued to play with aggression defensively, forcing a spate of turnovers in the first few minutes of the second quarter.

Later, UTSA went through a two-minute scoring drought.

When Harding and Diamond Richardson knocked down back-to-back three pointers, the Shockers had their largest lead of the game at 24-20. UTSA responded with tough play under the boards.

Offensive rebounds led to the Roadrunners’ last two baskets, one by Udo and the other by Rowe, to tie the score.

Third quarter

Harding hit three 3-point baskets and exploded for 12 points in the third period as Wichita State took control of the game, 49-40.

Playing big strong in the rebounding department, the Shockers outscored the Roadrunners, 25-16 in the quarter.

Near the end of the period, guard Diamond Richardson made plays on both ends of the floor to blunt UTSA’s momentum.

After foiling a breakaway layup, she emerged on the other to hit a layup for a four-point swing.

Notable

The Roadrunners have had difficult experiences in their past two games against teams in the bottom tier of the American Conference standings. On Jan. 23, UTSA lost 52-40 at the Memphis Tigers. On Feb. 3, UTSA fell 81-69 to the UAB Blazers in Birmingham.

UTSA will play at North Texas on Tuesday, facing a team that probably wants some payback. Cheyenne Rowe produced 27 points and 11 rebounds as the Roadrunners defeated the Mean Green 66-64 in San Antonio on Jan. 28.