By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
Preparing to open defense of their American Conference championship, the UTSA Roadrunners will host the Tulane Green Wave Tuesday in women’s college basketball. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Roadrunners have been off on a holiday break since Dec. 20 when they dropped a 70-65 decision in New York against the Columbia Lions.
“I think it was good for our players to get a little Christmas break and go home, get a little love and home cooking, probably, and come back with a refreshment, so to say,” UTSA coach Karen Aston said. “I know that, it’s a quick turnaround, really.
“I mean, it wasn’t a long break, but it was enough for them to catch their breath, and it was much needed,” she added. “Looking forward to conference play. It’s something that you work towards starting in the summer time. So, we’re anxious to get started.”
The Roadrunners (5-6) and the Green Wave (5-7) are two teams that have played difficult non conference schedules. In addition, both have yet to hit their stride.
Tulane, under second-year coach Ashley Langford, has dropped six of its last nine. The Green Wave will feature two players from the San Antonio area in Amira Mabry and Jordyn Weaver.
Mabry, who averages 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, played in high school at Judson. Weaver played at Wagner.
Notable
Both the UTSA women and men have personnel issues leading into conference. Aston said starting forward Idara Udo is questionable for the Tulane game. Udo did not play at Columbia. She made the trip but was in a walking boot.
It remains uncertain whether UTSA men’s team guard Vasean Allette will make the trip to Florida Atlantic for the conference opener Wednesday against the Owls (8-5). Allette has yet to play in 12 games for the Roadrunners (4-8).
Coach Austin Claunch said guard Pierce Spencer is out for the season with a shoulder injury. He added that 7-foot center Stanley Borden, nursing a hand injury, is likely two weeks away from returning to practice.
Both the UTSA men and women are scheduled to play road games at Temple, in Philadelphia, on Saturday.