Cougars Chase Down Roadrunners In San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Ring Maltih scored 20 points and Jo Valrie grabbed 10 rebounds to lead SIUE men's basketball to a 77-60 win Friday at UTSA and a 2-0 start to the season for the first time since 2016.

UTSA fell to 1-1 with the loss.

The Cougars overcame an early seven-point deficit and didn't take their first lead until 3:50 left in the first half when Myles Thompson knocked down a pair of free throws to put SIUE in front 27-26. The free throws spurred a 7-0 run and made it 32-26 SIUE.

The Cougars took possession after a missed layup and called timeout with nine seconds left before the half. Thompson drove inside the arc, and hit a turnaround off the right elbow put SIUE up 34-29 at the break.

The Cougars stretched their lead to eight and then 11 on back-to-back baskets by Darrion Baker, first a driving layup and then a three-pointer which made it 53-42 with 13:00 to play in the game.

Malith knocked down a pair of free throws with1:24 to play to stretch the lead to 75-60

Jack Campion delivered a lob pass for an alley oop dunk by Malith for the exclamation point with just eight seconds left.

For Malith, the game marked his fourth career 20-point outing and 14 of his points came in the second half. He added nine rebounds, an assist and a steal. Valrie scored seven points to go along with 10 rebounds.

Thompson scored 13 points, all coming before halftime. Jordan Pickett scored nine points.

SIUE connected on 55 percent of its shots in the second half and 48 percent (28-58) for the game. The Cougars knocked down five-seven three-pointers (71 percent) in the second half.

SIUE outrebounded UTSA 49-41 for the game.

The Roadrunners had four players score in double figures led by Jamir Simpson's 16 points.

SIUE returns home for a Monday matchup with Indiana State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at First Community Arena.

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