Photos by Mark McClendon

UTSA Roadrunners claim share of SLC title, host Texas State March 8

(March 8, 2004)--With a decisive 106-86 win over Southeastern Louisiana Friday night, the UTSA Roadrunners earned a share of the Southland Conference regular season championship for the first time since 1992.

Monday night the Roadrunners take the first step toward March Madness when they host Texas State in first-round playoff action at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center. It will be the third meeting this season between UTSA and Texas State with each team winning on the other's home court. Texas State defeated UTSA, 74-73 on Jan. 21 in San Antonio, while UTSA returned the favor by a 69-66 count on Feb. 25 in San Marcos.

Tickets for Monday's game with Texas State are on sale in the UTSA Ticket Office at 210-458-4646. Reserved tickets are $10 and general admission tickets are $7. Students from SLC institutions are admitted free with a valid school ID.

Pictured are (top left) SLC Freshman of the Year Kurt Attaway in play, (top right) UTSA senior Sammie Cole cuts the net after the win and (lower photo) the ecstatic crowd swarms the team after Friday's win.

The Roadrunners, 16-13 overall and 11-5 in conference play, need three wins to make it to the NCAA Tournament.  A win over Texas State will send UTSA to Wednesday’s semifinal round where a win will put the Roadrunners in Friday’s championship game to be aired on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m.

The Roadrunners started the season slow going 5-10 through the first 15 games.  But since starting league play 0-2, UTSA has turned into one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 10 of its past 12, including the last four.  The Roadrunners also are the best road team in the conference at 5-3.

Read more about UTSA Athletics.

--Rick Nixon