In a local showdown at the Convocation on Sunday afternoon between the Saints of Our Lady of the Lake University (1-1) and the UTSA Roadrunners (2-3). It took both teams a minute to get points on the board, but once they started, the Roadrunners raced out ahead.
Steve Henson’s team played solid defense in the first half, limiting OLLU to just thirty points, and forced three turnovers in a five minute stretch in which the Saints didn’t score. That drought for the Saints fell in the middle of a Roadrunner 19-1 scoring run that went up to the eight minute mark in the half when OLLU’s Xavier Woodington knocked down a three-point shot. After Woodington’s basket, the score was 29-14 in favor of the home Roadrunners.
For the Saints, they’ve been led by Jordan Embry, a 6’7” senior from Paris, Texas who had 12 points on 55% shooting from the floor in 14 minutes. Embry also hit both of his free-throws and added a pair of blocks.
As noted on the scoreboard, it hasn’t been a great first half for the Saints, notably outside of Embry. No other OLLU players have scored in double-digits, and only Ethan White, a San Antonio local product, had more than five points. White finished the half with eight points, connecting on 50% of his shots and both of his free-throws.
For the UTSA Roadrunners, it’s been the Jhivvan Jackson show. The senior out of Puerto Rico wracked up 23 first-half points to lead all scorers. Jackson shot an accurate 75% from the floor, including hitting on 3-5 from three-point range, playing all but one minute.
Behind Jackson, solid support has come from Jacob Germany and Luka Barisic, the two tallest players on the team. The size mismatch with Barisic (6’10”) and Germany (6’11”) has allowed them to each score nine points. Germany has also pulled down nine rebounds on his way to a double-double.
As the second half starts, the Roadrunners lead 54-30 with possession to the Saints.
Come back after the game for a breakdown on all of the action.
