By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
The UTSA women’s basketball team faces a quick turnaround from its last game as it prepares to meet the UTEP Miners today in El Paso at the Haskins Center.
Less than 48 hours ago, the Roadrunners polished off the New Mexico State Aggies, 75-61, in Las Cruces. Now they’re suiting up to play the Miners in the second game of a road trip. Tipoff is at noon central time at UTEP.
The Roadrunners (2-1) started practicing this summer thinking that they might have a deep pool of talent to meet the challenge of their fourth season under head coach Karen Aston.
After three games, their depth is paying off in solid play from several players.
Everyone knew senior Jordyn Jenkins would be good coming into the season, and she has been. A preseason first-team all-American Athletic Conference selection, she’s averaging 21.3 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Jenkins has been a model efficiency on the offensive end, shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 80 percent at the free throw line. In Las Cruces on Thursday night, she was at her best, producing 27 points and 11 rebounds.
But just as the Aggies started to feel the brunt of Jenkins’ play in the paint — she scored 12 in the first quarter — everyone else started to click, as well.
New Mexico State attacked with Molly Kaiser, but UTSA responded with play from the likes of Nina De Leon Negron and Sidney Love. De Leon Negron had her best game of the season with 14 points. Love had eight points and seven assists. As a team, the Roadrunners hit nine of 18 from three-point distance.
In all, six UTSA players hit threes.
Today in El Paso, the Roadrunners’ depth will be tested again. The Miners (2-0) are a grind-it-out style team that has played well defensively in victories over Tarleton State and Morehead State. They’re holding opponents to 45 points per game on 29.9 percent shooting from the field.
The Miners’ offensive threats include 5-7 guard Ivane Tensaie, who averages 15 points. Others are 5-6 guard Portia Adams and 6-1 forward Luisa Vydrova. Both are averaging 11 points. The Miners are in their 20th season in Conference USA and in their second under head coach Keitha Adams.
Records
UTSA 2-1
UTEP 2-0
Coming up
UTSA at UTEP, today at noon
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at UTSA, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.