SAN ANTONIO — Sophomore guard Mia Hammond dropped a team-high 24 points as UTSA women’s basketball defeated Texas A&M University – San Antonio 106-51 on Saturday at the Convocation Center.
The reigning American Conference champion Roadrunners didn’t skip a beat in their return to the hardwood, surpassing 100 points for the first time since 2020. Despite missing key contributors like senior guard Maya Linton, senior forward Nyayongah Gony and sophomore forward Taylor Ross, the ‘Runners dominated the Jaguars. With Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox courtside, UTSA flaunted its young core en route to a win in the first ever San Antonio Challenge exhibition match.
“I said prior to the season starting that I thought all of the sophomores made significant strides,” head head coach Karen Aston said of her team following the game. “They’ve worked hard. They’re going to have ups-and-downs, but they’re talented young ladies.”
The Jaguars opened up the match by taking an early 7-1 lead. The Roadrunners quickly overcame the deficit, and led A&M – San Antonio 25-18 by the end of the opening quarter.
UTSA had a number of players making their debut with the program. University of North Texas transfer Ereauna Hardway and University of Texas at El Paso transfer Jayda Holiman saw significant minutes, serving as steady, veteran presences despite technically being newcomers.
“I was very pleased,” Aston said of her transfer portal additions. “You would expect them to be a little nervous, and I think they were, but they played hard. They’re learning.
“Ereauna Hardway is a starter in this league. She’s very experienced and really gets what it takes to play.”
Prior to the season, Aston noted that freshman guard Adriana Robles was “ahead of the curve.” Robles got her fair share of minutes at the point guard position and played with command, pace and confidence.
Most impressive of all, though, was Hammond. The 6-foot-3 guard from Cibolo, Texas, led the way for the Roadrunners offensively. If Saturday was any indication, Hammond will spearhead the ‘Runners offensive attack in the same vein that program-legend Jordyn Jenkins did, despite playing two different positions.
UTSA will head to Lubbock for its season opener against Texas Tech University at 6 p.m. Thursday at United Supermarkets Arena.