NCAA Basketball: D'Marcus Simonds, UTSA top mid-major performers

NCAA Basketball: D’Marcus Simonds, UTSA top mid-major performers

By Logan Butts | Jan 15, 2019

MANHATTAN, KS - DECEMBER 15: D'Marcus Simonds #15 of the Georgia State Panthers looks to make a pass against pressure from Barry Brown Jr. #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half on December 15, 2018 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 23: Nick Allen #25 of the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners drives against Jake Zuilhof #52 of the Central Arkansas Bears during the Men Who Speak Up Main Event basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 23, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Best Performance, Team – UTSA Roadrunners

In what is turning out to be a competitive Conference USA this season, the UTSA Roadrunners took a big step in the right direction by knocking off the conference favorites North Texas 76-74 on Saturday.

The loss was North Texas’ first in conference play, second overall this season (the other came at Oklahoma, for what it’s worth), and ended an eight-game winning streak for the Mean Green.

UTSA’s Jhivvan Jackson scored the game-winner with 1.6 seconds left and also paced his team with 17 points, one of four Roadrunners in double-figures.

North Texas also had four in double-figures, led by from Roosevelt Smart and 17 points and nine rebounds from Renaldo Woolridge.

The win solidified a season turnaround from UTSA, who started off the season 0-5 with some tough losses (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State) and a non-DI loss in the season opener.

But, the Roadrunners have won seven consecutive games to place themselves into the thick of the Conference USA race.

Old Dominion also earned an important win in the race, defeating FIU on the road thanks to a last-second putback from Dajour Dickens.

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