LOS ANGELES – The UTSA men’s basketball team provided an early glimpse of the 2024-24 squad in Tuesday’s exhibition game at USC in the Galen Center. The game was back-and-forth action in the opening half with a close game at the break, but the Trojans were able to get separation in the second half en route to dealing UTSA an 84-63 loss.
With the first live look at UTSA’s 15 new players to the 16-man roster, the first bucket of the season went to Marcus Millender on a pull-up jumper at the elbow, then center Mo Njie put away a three to tie the score on the next possession. While the Trojans kept in front of the early race, UTSA held the deficit within two possessions – including back-to-back scores by Primo Spears and Skylar Wicks to slim the advantage to 18-16 with 8:15 to go in the half. Down the stretch, Millender kept the Roadrunners within striking distance, while Damari Monsanto hit consecutive threes in a 23-second span to trim USC’s advantage to 35-32 at the break after a pair of Trojan free throws.
UTSA’s defensive effort played a big role in keeping the Trojans’ scoring under control in the opening half, collecting five steals with 10 USC turnovers, while limiting USC to 22.2-percent shooting behind the arc.
However, a UTSA shooting stumble created challenges quickly after halftime, as USC jumped out to an 11-2 run over the first four minutes.
Snapping the skid, Spears hit a pair of free throws and Monsanto sparked the Roadrunners from long range, followed by three-balls from Paul Lewis and Spears to make it a 53-49 game. However, the Trojans were able to secure an additional 11-0 run, fueled by seven free throws in two-and-a-half minutes. The Roadrunners only produced three USC turnovers in the second half and never regained offensive footing while USC pulled away to the 84-63 win that debuted the first squad under Eric Musselman. USC finished the night 22-of-28 at the line.
The Roadrunners shot 38.7 percent from the floor and scored on 42 percent of possessions. UTSA scored 13 points off USC turnovers and finished with seven steals.
Leading the UTSA scoring in the exhibition, Spears had 14 points, added two steals and two assists. Millender had 12 points with a team-high four assists, while Njie went 4-for-4 for 10 points and a team-leading six rebounds.
Preseason preparation continues for the Roadrunners, leading up to a Nov. 4 opener against San Antonio’s Trinity at the Convocation Center.
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