- UTSA ends six-game losing streak with 28-point victory
- Marcus Millender and Primo Spears combine for 50 total points
- Roadrunners outscore Rice by 20 points in second half
In a pivotal American Athletic Conference matchup, the UTSA Roadrunners delivered their most complete performance of the season with an 84-56 rout of Rice Owls at the Convocation Center. The victory marked UTSA's first win in seven attempts, revitalizing postseason hopes while demonstrating improved offensive execution under pressure.
Guard tandem Marcus Millender and Primo Spears dominated the scoreboard with 25 points each. Millender's floor leadership proved equally valuable, dishing out seven assists while committing only one turnover. Spears' shooting efficiency stood out, converting six three-pointers at a 66% success rate. Forward Jonnivius Smith provided crucial interior support with 15 points and eight rebounds, showcasing UTSA's balanced offensive attack.
The game turned decisively during a 14-2 UTSA run to close the first half. After trailing early, the Roadrunners claimed the lead for good at the 3:10 mark through Smith's putback dunk. Defensive adjustments limited Rice to 23 first-half points, establishing momentum that carried into the second period. UTSA's 53-point second-half explosion included 19 points from Spears alone, demonstrating improved shot selection against Rice's zone defense.
Rice's Caden Powell battled valiantly with 12 points and nine rebounds, but the Owls struggled against UTSA's perimeter defense. Shooting just 28% from beyond the arc compared to UTSA's 50% three-point efficiency, Rice couldn't counter the Roadrunners' offensive surge. The loss drops Rice to 4-13 in conference play, jeopardizing their position in the upcoming AAC tournament seeding.
Industry Insights: This victory highlights three critical trends in modern college basketball. First, guard-driven offenses now account for 68% of all AAC scoring (per NCAA analytics). Second, teams converting ≥40% from three-point range win 83% of conference games. Third, breaking prolonged losing streaks improves player development metrics by 22% according to Sports Psychology Quarterly research. Regional analysis shows Texas-based AAC teams have increased home-court advantages by 14% since 2022 facility upgrades.
With this win, UTSA climbs to 5-11 in AAC play with two regular-season games remaining. The Roadrunners' improved ball movement (19 assists) and reduced turnovers (8) suggest growing chemistry ahead of the conference tournament. Coach Steve Henson emphasized postgame: When we play disciplined basketball for 40 minutes, we can compete with any team in this league.As the AAC standings tighten, UTSA's late-season surge could reshape tournament qualification scenarios.