By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

UTSA coach Karen Aston had told her players coming into Tuesday night that if they could hold the East Carolina Lady Pirates to less than 70 points, then they would have a chance to beat the highest-scoring team in the American Conference.

As it turned out, the high-flying Pirates failed to hit 70 but played better defense than the defense-minded Roadrunners, claiming a 65-58 victory at the Convocation Center in a battle between contenders in the American.

“We had too many turnovers and we gave up too many offensive rebounds,” Aston said. “That’s just the story of the game.”

The other story centered on a plague of injuries that has hurt UTSA all season. The problem was exacerbated against the Pirates when Cheyenne Rowe had to sit out with an illness.

As a result, Rowe missed her first game of the season, joining six other players on the roster who have been out of action with assorted injuries.

Without Rowe and injured Idara Udo on the floor, the Roadrunners were extremely thin on the inside, playing sophomore Emilia Dannebauer 31 minutes and freshman Sanaa Bean 18, much more than their season averages.

East Carolina took full advantage, winning the battle of the boards, 32-26, including 17-8 on the offensive end. In the beginning, the Roadrunners shot the ball well and took an early eight-point lead.

But as the Pirates continued to trap and press, the Roadrunners turned it over 29 times, leading to 27 points for the visitors. It was just too much for the home team to overcome.

“I thought UT San Antonio had a good game plan, and that was to take the paint away from us,” East Carolina coach Kim McNeill said. “They did a really good job of that. We weren’t as clean as we normally are on offense.

“You got to credit that to the (UTSA) defense. I think we made some gutsy plays down the stretch. Down on the defensive end we got some stops when we needed … and we made some baskets when we needed them, too.”

East Carolina rallied behind forward Keanna Rembert, who scored six of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by 12 points midway through the fourth, the Roadrunners made it interesting, cutting the lead to seven with three minutes left.

In response, Rembert answered with a follow shot with 2:54 remaining to boost the advantage to nine. UTSA couldn’t get closer than six the rest of the way.

Mia Hammonds and Damara Allen scored 12 points apiece to lead the Roadrunners. Guard Ereauna Hardaway, the team’s second-leading scorer, was held to eight points on one for five shooting.

East Carolina’s primary threat in the backcourt had an off night, as well. Kennedy Fauntleroy, who had averaged 23 points in three previous games, was held to two points on two free throws.

The Arizona State transfer also committed seven turnovers and eventually fouled out. But in Fauntleroy’s case, her teammates in the backcourt picked up the slack to win in one of the toughest places to play in the American.

Guards Savannah Brooks and Jayla Hearp both hurt the Roadrunners. Brooks had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. Brooks also recorded three steals. Hearp scored 10 and pulled down five rebounds — all of them on the offensive end.

Also, Pirates guard Taylor Barner came off the bench and made an impact in defending UTSA’s Hardaway.

Records

East Carolina 14-6, 6-1
UTSA 9-8, 4-2

Coming up

UTSA at Memphis, Saturday, 2 p.m.

Third quarter

Jayla Hearp scored nine points and Savannah Brooks added six in the third period as the Lady Pirates came from a one-point halftime deficit and surged into a a 50-41 lead.

The Pirates also played stifling defense, forcing the Roadrunners into eight turnovers as they won the period, 25-15.

When the Roadrunners did get a clean look at the hoop, they shot only three of 10 from the field.

First half

Despite making 15 turnovers in the half and playing without Rowe, the UTSA Roadrunners ran into the dressing room with a 26-25 lead on the East Carolina Lady Pirates.

Damara Allen led the Roadrunners with 10 points, including two of their four 3-pointers. Three-point shooting was a key for the ‘Runners as they hit four of five in the half. They also shot nine of 16 from the field.

Another promising sign for UTSA was its defense on guard Fauntleroy, who was held scoreless after averaging 23 points a game over her last three. Fauntleroy shot zero for two from the field and made five turnovers.

East Carolina’s best weapon was its full-court press, which forced UTSA into nine second-quarter turnovers.

Trailing by eight early in the game, the Pirates used the press to flip the momentum. They took a 17-16 lead on a Rembert jumper with 6:01 left in the half.

UTSA immediately regained the lead when the Roadrunners beat pressure and fed Allen, who hit a three out of the corner.

Jayda Holiman made another trey a few minutes later, expanding UTSA’s advantage to 25-21. Rembert knocked down a triple with 41 seconds left to tie the score. UTSA center Emilia Dannebauer hit a free throw with 10 seconds left for the final point.

Notable

UTSA forward Cheyenne Rowe sat out the game with an illness. She is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds. Rowe had started and played all 16 games for the Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners had six other players sitting out, five of whom haven’t played this season. Idara Udo, who has been out for the past seven games, played the first 10 and averaged 8.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.

Before pre-game warmups, Udo was on the floor shooting the ball, a positive sign for the team.

Maya Linton, Nyayongah Gony, Saher Alizada, Sema Udo and Taylor Ross are the others who have not played this season.

Gony, Sema Udo and Ross are out for the season, while Idara Udo, Linton and Alizada were listed as out for the game, according to the official availability report.