JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Georgia Southern (3-5) built a double-digit first-half lead but couldn't withstand a hot second half from UTSA (4-3), falling 77-64 on Tuesday night at the Adams-Jenkins Complex.
The Eagles led by as many as 13 early after hitting six three-pointers in the opening period and taking a 33-29 advantage into halftime. UTSA surged out of the break with a 48-point second half, taking control behind improved shooting and a 30-18 scoring edge in the paint.
Alden Applewhite paced Georgia Southern with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting while knocking down two three-pointers and going 6-of-11 at the line. Tyren Moore added 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Spudd Webb finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
Nakavieon White contributed nine points and drew a team-high 12 free-throw attempts before fouling out. Shainen Carter anchored the glass with eight rebounds and recorded two blocks.
The Eagles went 17-of-56 from the field and 8-of-34 from deep but stayed afloat at the free-throw line, where they attempted 38 shots. Georgia Southern committed just 12 turnovers and held a 16-14 advantage in second-chance points.
UTSA was led by Jamir Simpson, who poured in 22 points while going 10-of-13 from the line. The game featured three ties and one lead change, all in the first half, before UTSA's late push sealed the win. The Roadrunners outrebounded the Eagles 47-40 and shot 15-of-29 after halftime, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Tyren Moore opened the scoring for the Eagles, knocking down three triples to open a 9-6 advantage heading to the first media timeout.
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Georgia Southern opened an 11-0 run for the next 2:30 minutes, forcing a UTSA timeout, thanks in part to five points from Alden Applewhite.
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UTSA used a 13-0 run to tie the ballgame, as the Eagles went scoreless for the last 4:55 seconds, before Tyren Moore collected a bucket under the rim to give Georgia Southern the lead back, 26-24.
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The Eagles stretched their lead to four point before the break, using a Nakavieon White bucket under the hoop, before UTSA couldn't get a final shot off in time, 33-29.
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Out of the half, Alden Applewhite knocks down two three-pointers and a scoop layup to lead an 8-0 by himself, extending the lead to 40-29.
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The Road Runners used an 18-4 run over a stretch of 6:31 to take their first lead of the ballgame, 52-47.
NOTES
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Alden Applewhite played a team-high 34 minutes on Tuesday evening, recording 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting. He added a pair of three-pointers and was 6-of-11 from the free throw line. Applewhite collected three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
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Tyren Moore opened the game 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, taking the first five shots that the Eagles attempted against UTSA. Moore finished with 16 points and was 4-of-10 from three-point range.
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Spudd Webb returned to form Tuesday, collecting 14 points in 32 minutes of action. Webb finished 4-of-10 from the field and knocked down 6-of-9 free throw attempts.
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Georgia Southern grabbed 40 rebounds against the Roadrunners on Tuesday, setting a new season-high for the Eagles.
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