It wasn’t a great start, but the Roadrunners worked their way back into the second game of the back-to-back, and UTSA trails by just five points to Louisiana Tech on the road in Ruston on Saturday evening. The halftime score is 30-34
UTSA (5-7, 1-4) opened the game hitting just two of their first 15 shots, in the first 7:30 of the game, falling behind the Bulldogs (10-4, 3-2) who had a 14-point lead with the score at 17-3. At one point, the Roadrunners had more fouls (5) than points.
Some images from the first half in Ruston.
📷 Darrell James/LA Tech #BirdsUp 🤙 | #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/kzeFVeqF3y
— UTSA Basketball (@UTSAMBB) January 17, 2021
After a timeout at the 11 minute mark, UTSA started to turn this around with the help of the three ball, and LA Tech missing their shots. It was Keaton Wallace who really got things going, following up his 18-point game from last night’s loss with nine points already in the first half, hitting three of his seven attempts from deep.
At the half, Amorie Archibold of Louisiana Tech leads all scorers with 13 points, and is a perfect 4-4 from three-point range. UTSA’s Wallace is second with nine points, leading the Roadrunners in scoring. Keaton also leads his team with five rebounds, while Eric Parrish paces the visitors and all players with four assists. Kenneth Lofton Jr. has eight rebounds in eight minutes to lead both teams.
Trailing 17-3 after going 1 of 15 to open the game, UTSA closed the half on a 31-22 run to bring the game within five at the break. #BirdsUp 🤙 | #RunWithUs
— UTSA Basketball (@UTSAMBB) January 17, 2021
For UTSA to have a chance at this one, they’re going to play better defense after allowing the Bulldogs to shoot 55% from three-point range, and 46% from the floor. It would also be a great help to get the ball dropping some themselves, shooting just 35% in the first period, though 47% from deep. Jhivvan Jackson and Keaton Wallace both have two early fouls, and it would be great to see Jacob Germany get more involved. The 6’11” center has just four points and two rebounds in 11 minutes on the floor.