For the UTSA Roadrunners, an 0-5 start to the season is a thing of the past.
The Roadrunners won their fifth straight game and their second straight over UTEP in three days, downing the Miners 67-63 Saturday night in El Paso.
Guard Jhivvan Jackson has returned from inury to average 20.5 points per game this season. – Photo by Joe Alexander, Jan. 3 at UTSA.
Guard Jhivvan Jackson produced 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Roadrunners, who rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 17 minutes.
“We went to that zone (defense) that we had in our back pocket,” Jackson told the team’s radio broadcast. “We worked on it. We just kept moving around and made ’em uncomfortable, and they weren’t making shots, and we just executed on offense.”
UTSA improved to 2-0 in Conference USA competition and to 8-2 in its last 10 since opening the season with the five straight losses.
Jackson sat out the first three games of the year as he completed rehabilitation from a knee injury.
The sophomore from Puerto Rico has returned to average 20.5 points in 12 outings. He’s scored 20 or more in nine of his last 10 games.
Records
UTSA 8-7, 2-0
UTEP 5-8, 0-2
Notable
Keaton Wallace came alive in the second half with 11 of his 16 points. Wallace burned UTEP for 23 in a 75-60 victory Thursday night in San Antonio. Nick Allen, meanwhile, continued to play well with 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting. Byron Frohnen pulled down 13 rebounds.
Quotable
“It was a good win, to go on the road and find a way.” — UTSA coach Steve Henson.
UTSA guard Keaton Wallace produced 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks against the UTEP Miners. – Photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA guard Keaton Wallace showed up with his “A” game on Thursday night, which did not come as a surprise to anyone in the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners were playing the rival UTEP Miners, and it was the Conference USA opener, so it figured that the standout sophomore from Dallas would arrive ready to make an impact.
He did, producing 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 75-60 victory.
But in a little bit of a twist to recent history, all eight regulars in the playing rotation made at least one field goal.
Not counting four players who played the final minute of the game, all eight in the rotation scored and four hit double figures, which was meaningful to Roadrunners coach Steve Henson.
“It’s good,” coach Steve Henson said. “We spent a lot of time working on some things this week, making sure Byron (Frohnen) is touching the ball. You know, he started out great. He gave us a good lift in the second half, as well.”
Byron Frohnen scored six points in UTSA’s 13-0 burst to start the game. – Photo by Joe Alexander.
Frohnen went scoreless for the first time this season last Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma, which likely was the reason for the adjustment in practice. He responded with 10 points and five rebounds against the Miners.
“He’s just such a mismatch guy,” Henson said. “He just gives us such a different look. You know, they tried cross-matching some things, putting their five man on him. We set some real low, tight ball screens.
“It allowed him to get in the paint and shoot little floaters. He generally doesn’t force things. He’ll kick it out. So, to get him involved and have everyone else (hit a field goal), yeah, it’s fantastic.
“You can’t be a two-man show (with Wallace and Jhivvan Jackson). We know that.”
In a scheduling quirk, the two teams will play again Saturday night in El Paso. UTSA has won four straight and seven out of nine leading into the rematch.
In the recent nine-game stretch, the Roadrunners have played at a high level defensively, holding the opposition to 42 percent shooting or lower in each outing. The Miners were limited to 34 percent.
Playing under first-year coach Rodney Terry, the Miners flashed at times with some talented players.
But the Roadrunners’ defense seemed to take them out of what they wanted to do, and on top of that, the visitors also missed several easy baskets.
Records
UTEP 5-7, 0-1
UTSA 7-7, 1-0
Notable
The Roadrunners have won four straight in the series against the Miners.
Individuals
UTSA — Keaton Wallace, 23 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks. Jhivvan Jackson, 13 points, three 3 pointers. Nick Allen, 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting. Byron Frohnen, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists. Atem Bior, 8 points, 12 rebounds.
Jhivvan Jackson has his shot blocked in the paint, but UTSA regains possession and gets the ball to Keaton Wallace, who buries a three.
First half
Playing lock-down defense from the outset, UTSA bolted to a 13-0 lead and then held on for a 33-24 advantage against UTEP heading into intermission.
The Roadrunners held the Miners to 30.4 percent shooting in the first half on 7 of 23 shooting from the field.
On offense, UTSA started fast, hitting 6 of its first 8 shots. Frohnen had three of them to get the offense rolling.
Second half
The Roadrunners got rolling early in the second half with an 8-0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Jhivvan Jackson.
UTSA increased the lead to 19 twice (47-28 and 49-30) and never allowed UTEP to come within 12 points in the last 15 minutes.
Roadrunners forward Adrian Rodriguez maneuvers to sink a baby hook shot for the final points of the half.
A rivalry game
Wallace said it’s always fun to play the Miners.
“This is our rival game,” he said. “We knew a lot of people were going to come out and watch. So we were locked in and focused.”
Wallace said the team had a different mindset compared to its previous outing, a lackluster 70-67 victory Saturday against Division II Southeastern Oklahoma.
“It’s conference play, so we got to play our best basketball” he said. “We practiced great the last three days. We came out, and it showed.”
Wallace continues to blossom
Wallace has notched one 35-point game this season along with six more with 20 points or better.
Henson said it’s almost like the player’s consistency leads to frustration, in that the coaches always expect the best from him.
“When he gets open shots, I think he’s going to make every single one of them,’ the coach said. “For a young guy, he’s got a very mature approach to his game, the way he handles his business.
“He works hard. He’s here early. He watches a lot of film. He prepares the right way.
“His athleticism is becoming very noticeable. We talked about him gaining 20 more pounds. But, man he’s up around the rim more. He’s going to the offensive glass and getting results. He’s blocking shots.
Steve Henson (left) speaks with a referee on the sideline last weekend during a game against Southeastern Oklahoma. Assistant coach Mike Peck (right) listens in. – Photo by Joe Alexander”
Last year, the UTSA Roadrunners set out on a nightly basis to push the pace and shoot the 3-pointer.
Even if the long ball was hoisted fairly early in the shot clock, that was OK, because they had enough threats to run and hoist field goal attempts with just about anyone.
And with just about any degree of difficulty.
As UTSA enters Conference USA play tonight, hosting the UTEP Miners at 7 at the Convocation Center, the Roadrunners have established a different mindset.
Jhivvan Jackson and Keaton Wallace are expected to fire away, as usual, but the Roadrunners have evolved into more of a team based on defense.
UTSA has held eight straight opponents to 42 percent shooting or less during a 6-2 streak that has given the team hope after an 0-5 start.
“Guys are practicing the right way, buying into it,” UTSA coach Steve Henson said. “We have five guys who have played a lot, so it wasn’t shocking that we’d end up being a good defensive team.”
Even the younger players have developed a good grasp on what is expected of them on a daily basis.
“Really, we’ve spent a lot of time talking to our leaders about taking control of that, taking control of the defense,” Henson said. “That needs to be their identity.
“Again, that was the thing we had to work through. Who are we? What gives us the best chance to win? Is that 90 possessions a game? Or is it being a great defensive team?
“We’ve gone along here and recognized that we’ve got to defend every single night.”
Notable
UTSA and UTEP will play back-to-back games to open C-USA play, a byproduct of a revamped scheduling system within the conference. The teams will meet again Saturday night in El Paso.
McNeese State center Sha’Markus Kennedy stands his ground for an offensive rebound and a put back in the second half, much to the delight of teammate Roydell Brown (22).
Guard Roydell Brown scored 23 points Wednesday night, leading the McNeese State Cowboys to an 88-77 road victory over Incarnate Word in the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
Four players reached double figures for the Cowboys, including center Sha’Markus Kennedy with 20. Guards James Harvey had 18 and Trey Touchet 13 to help hand UIW its fourth straight loss.
Freshman Dwight Murray Jr. started and led the Cardinals with a season-high 18 points. Charles Brown III had 14 and Augustine Ene and Morgan Taylor 13 apiece.
UIW forward Christian Peevy, playing with a cast on his broken left hand, finished with four.
Peevy was making his return to the lineup after sitting out the Cardinals’ last two games with the injury.
He apparently hurt the hand in the second half at LSU on Dec. 9.
Records
McNeese 5-9, 1-0
Incarnate Word 5-9, 0-1
Notable
The story of the game centered on McNeese State’s offensive execution that led to 66.7 percent shooting. Kennedy hit 8 of 9 from the floor and Brown 8 of 12.
Quotable
“You got to give McNeese credit,” first-year UIW coach Carson Cunningham said. “They came in here and shot it really well, asserted themselves physically.
“We have a lot of work to do. It wasn’t a good enough effort. I got to do a better job coaching. We’re just going to have to get back to work.”
Keeping the faith
Two positives stood out for UIW on an otherwise tough night.
For one thing, the Cardinals trailed by 25 in the second half and ended up making a spirited charge in the final few minutes.
Also, Peevy showed considerable courage in trying to play with his hand in a cast.
“He’s tough,” Murray said. “When he’s hurt in practice, he doesn’t stop playing. He never stops pushing. That’s what we love about him.”
UIW freshman Dwight Murray, Jr., gets a steal and races downcourt to hit a pull-up jumper in the first half.
Freshmen on the rise
If there is a silver lining in the team’s start this season, it’s that a series of performances from freshmen — Morgan Taylor, Antoine Smith Jr., and now Murray — continue to point to a brighter future.
Murray, from Austell, Georgia, enjoyed his best game with 6 of 12 shooting, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc.
“Yeah, yeah, there’s definitely positives,” Cunningham said. “But the bottom line is, tonight, we didn’t do a good enough job, and I need to do a better job.”
Ailing with injuries
UIW played without Bryce Davis, Des Balentine, Romello Wilbert and Keaton Hervey against McNeese.
Davis, a 6-7 freshman from Glendale, Arizona, is the latest casualty. He wore a walking boot on his left foot. Davis has played in 13 games, averaging 2.8 points in 9.5 minutes.
Second-half recap
The Cowboys, with Touchet and Harvey connecting regularly from long distance, outscored the Cardinals 29-10 in a key 10-minute stretch early in the second half.
Harvey hit two three-pointers near the end of the streak, which boosted McNeese into a 72-47 lead with 11:25 remaining.
First half
The Cowboys scored 19 out of 21 points in a seven-minute barrage early in the game and then held on for a 41-33 halftime lead.
With McNeese shooting 65 percent in the half, Brown led the way with 16 points.
Murray scored seven to lead the Cardinals, who rallied with an 8-0 run in the last 1:47.
Ene sparked UIW’s last field goal (see video below) with a defensive strip under McNeese’s basket, which led to a fast break and a three-pointer by Murray.
Trailing 6-0 early, the Cowboys went on a 19-2 run with Brown scoring eight points during the streak.
On the final scoring play of the first half, UIW sophomore Augustine Ene strips the ball away from a McNeese State post player, dribbles out and finds Dwight Murray, Jr., for a three-pointer.
Incarnate Word forward Christian Peevy is in uniform and warming up Wednesdday night as the Cardinals prepare to host the host the McNeese State Cowboys in the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
Christian Peevy leads Incarnate Word in scoring with 14 points per game.
Peevy, UIW’s leading scorer, has been out for two games with an injured hand. He is turning for the McNeese game with a cast on his left (non-shooting) hand. Peevy is averaging 14 points per game.
The game matches first-year coaches at both schools, Carson Cunningham for UIW (5-8) and Heath Schroyer for McNeese (4-9).
In its sixth year in the conference, UIW is looking for its first trip to the SLC tournament.
The Cardinals were ineligible in the first four years of membership as they completed a transition from NCAA Division II to Division I.
Last year, in their first year of elibility, they didn’t make it, finishing 7-21 overall and 2-16.
The Cowboys, from Lake Charles, Louisiana, haven’t been to the tournament since 2016.
Notable
UIW will be without Bryce Davis, Des Balentine, Romello Wilbert and Keaton Hervey against McNeese.
Davis, a 6-7 freshman, is in a walking boot on his left foot. He has played in all 13 games, averaging 2.8 points in 9.5 minutes.
Fourth-ranked Virginia defeated Marshall 100-64 Monday night. Marshall, the Conference USA tournament champion last season, will open C-USA play Thursday night at Old Dominion.
AP Top 25
1. Duke 11-1 ACC
2. Michigan 13-0 Big Ten
3. Tennessee 11-1 SEC
4. Virginia 12-0 ACC
5. Kansas 11-1 Big 12
6. Nevada 13-0 Mountain West
7. Gonzaga 13-2 West Coast
8. Michigan State 11-2 Big Ten
9. Florida State 11-1 ACC
10. Virginia Tech 11-1 ACC
11. Texas Tech 11-1 Big 12
12. Auburn 11-2 SEC
13. Kentucky 10-2 SEC
14. Ohio State 12-1 Big Ten
15. North Carolina 9-3 ACC
16. Marquette 11-2 Big Eeast
17. Mississippi State 12-1 SEC
18. NC State 12-1 ACC
19. Houston 13-0 American
20. Buffalo 12-1 Mid-American
21. Indiana 11-2 Big Ten
22. Wisconsin 10-3 Big Ten
23. Oklahoma 11-1 Big 12
24. Nebraska 11-2 Big Ten
15. Iowa 11-2 Big Ten
UIW’s Cody Graham (right) drives on Northern Colorado’s Johnatan Reyes.
Sophomore guard Cody Graham will play Wednesday night when the Incarnate Word Cardinals host the McNeese State Cowboys in a Southland Conference opener for both teams.
First-year UIW coach Carson Cunningham said Graham is a “full go” for the McNeese game after sitting out three straight with an injury.
The 5-10 sophomore from Fresno, Texas, played in UIW’s first 10 games and started nine of them before missing road losses at LSU, Illinois-Chicago and DePaul.
Incarnate Word coach Carson Cunningham gives directions to freshman guard Jordan Caruso in a 90-64 loss to Northern Colorado on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018.
So, getting Graham back is a bonus for the Cardinals (5-8) as they continue preparations for SLC home games Wednesday against McNeese (4-9) and Saturday against the Nicholls State Colonels (7-6).
But as for the playing status of sophomore forward Christian Peevy, UIW’s leading scorer, Cunningham can’t say for sure.
“We’re going to find out,” Cunningham said after Monday’s workout. “We know he’s working hard to get better and as prepared as he can. We’ll know soon.”
Peevy enjoyed consecutive games of 26, 32, 23 and 16 points before sitting out UIW’s last two at Illinois-Chicago and DePaul.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Peevy and a few others who didn’t do much in a New Year’s Eve workout, Cunningham said UIW is ready for the conference schedule to commence.
“We’re excited,” the coach said. “It’s a great time of year. We feel like we’ve had a difficult, challenging pre-conference slate, and it’s time to tip it up in conference.”
With several players not available, the Cardinals played well, all things considered, on the two-game trip to Chicago.
In a 63-57 loss at Illinois-Chicago, they clamped down defensively, holding the Flames to 18 points and 21 percent shooting in the second half.
Two nights later, in a 81-71 loss at DePaul, the Cardinals rained 14 three-point baskets on the Blue Demons.
Not bad for a banged-up SLC squad against a Big East opponent.
“I thought we did a lot of nice things,” Cunningham said. “I think we’re getting better. I’m hoping we can build off that as we start conference.”
At DePaul, UIW played well in the first half and trailed 42-38.
In the second half, the Cardinals continued to make shots. They were within eight with 11:36 remaining before the Blue Demons stepped on the gas and pumped the lead to 16.
Still, the home team couldn’t pull away, as UIW senior Charles Brown III and freshman teammate Antoine Smith both knocked down five three pointers.
“I thought we showed some real growth,” Cunningham said. “Guys were sharing the apple. We had good movement. We had some good flow. We’re just continuing to battle.”
Freshman Antoine Smith Jr. pulls down a rebound against Northern Colorado. Smith scored 15 points on five 3-pointers at DePaul on Dec. 19.
Senior guard Riley Norris knocked down a couple of three-point shots late in the game Sunday as the Alabama Crimson Tide escaped with a 79-69 victory over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in Nacogdoches.
Norris told the Alabama radio broadcast after the game that the raucous atmosphere at sold-out Johnson Coliseum forced the Crimson Tide to trust its preparation.
“It’s very similar to a Wichita State-type of environment,” Norris said. “Sold out. Fans are really into the game. When they go on a run you can’t really hear anything. So, you just got to trust each other on the court. Trust the coaches, and trust our preparation.”
Announced attendance was a capacity 7,203. Afterward, SFA coach Kyle Keller thanked the fans for their support of the program in its historic first home game against an opponent from the Southeastern Conference.
“FANTASTIC atmosphere in the #Sawmill!” Keller wrote in a Twitter post.
Turning point
The biggest sequence of the second half came with about five minutes remaining. SFA had the ball, trailing by three, and the crowd was into it.
But Karl Nicholas committed a turnover. On the other end, Norris drained a three to make it a six-point game. SFA, the defending champion in the Southland Conference, never got closer than five the rest of the way.
Individual leaders
Alabama — Kira Lewis, Jr., 17 points and 8 assists. Riley Norris, 14 points and 4 three-pointers, off the bench. Donta Hall, 12 points and 14 rebounds. Tevin Mack, 12 points.
SFA — Shannon Bogues, 21 points. Kevon Harris, 14 points. Bogues and Harris combined for five three-pointers. Off the bench, John Comeaux, 13 points, 4 rebounds and Karl Nicholas, 11 points and 8 rebounds.
