It’s a chilly night in the Convocation Center, but the action is just heating up between the FAU Owls and the UTSA Roadrunners.
For the visiting Owls, it’s the first time they’ve played since January 27th due to COVID-19 concerns in their two previous matchups heading into tonight, and in the opening minutes, it showed. UTSA was able to jump out to an early nine-point lead, and would have as much as an 11 point advantage in the first 10 minutes. The Owls warmed up though, eventually tying things up at 37-37 with 3:10 left in the first period after FAU’s Elijah Martin hit back-to-back three-point shots. UTSA holds a 44-41 lead at the half.
Jhivvan up to 14 first-half points after his second 3-pointer. #BirdsUp 🤙 | #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/L4WGYJhXw1
— UTSA Basketball (@UTSAMBB) February 13, 2021
The last time the Roadrunners played was last weekend in Miami, Florida against FIU when UTSA picked up their first two wins on the season away from San Antonio. The team looks to make it four straight wins and build upon their 8-1 home record, and are poised to do so with their halftime lead, but they’re going to need the rest of the team to step up and find a way to contribute.
The scoring leaders at the half are Jacob Germany and Jhivvan Jackson, each with 14 points to lead all scorers in the game. Cedrick Alley Jr. isn’t far behind with 8 points on 2-of-3 shooting from deep, but only four other Roadrunners have scored in this one, and none with more than four points. There’s just not a lot of involvement from anyone else so far that stands out on the stat sheet, and it’s looked that way on the court. That’s not a bad thing, especially when Jackson and Germany are doing well, but with each of them already at two fouls, it’s time to start getting others guys involved.
Jacob Germany has 14 points on 7 of 10 shooting, marking his career-high for points scored in a single half.
Jackson with 14 on 6 of 9 shooting. Alley with eight. #BirdsUp 🤙 | #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/ZdaeqXdRLb
— UTSA Basketball (@UTSAMBB) February 13, 2021
No players for FAU scored double-digits in the first half, with Michael Forrest’s nine points leading the Owls. It’s been a team effort to keep up with the Roadrunners, with eight players scoring, and eight contributing on the glass as well. The three-ball was kind to FAU in the first half, as the team connected on 7-of-13 attempts, led by Martin’s pair that tied the game up late.
Coach Henson has a real advantage with the size and athleticism of Germany and Alley, and I’d like to see him really use that like he did early on. In the first ten minutes of the game, UTSA had only attempted two shots from beyond the arc.
The second half is underway next, and can be watched on ESPN+. Be sure to come back after the game for a recap on tonight’s contest.
