Texas-San Antonio Wins Southland Conference Title
March 12, 2004
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -
The University of Texas at San Antonio has saved its best for last as the Roadrunners continued their hot streak, riding the momentum all the way to the "Big Dance." UTSA fought off visiting Stephen F. Austin to take the Southland Conference men's basketball tournament championship game by a 74-70 score.
UTSA (19-13), tri-champion with Texas-Arlington and Southeastern Louisiana during the regular season, advances to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history. The Roadrunners earned NCAA appearances in 1988 (prior to joining the Southland) and 1999 after winning the Southland Tournament title.
Tournament most valuable player LeRoy Hurd scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals in leading UTSA to its 14th win in the last 17 outings. The Roadrunners, who started the year 1-5 and 5-10, extended their win streak to seven games and have won 10 of their last 11 games.
Seeded No. 3 in the tournament, UTSA stood the test, winning its three games by a combined 11 points. In the first round, the Roadrunners took a 78-73 win over rival Texas State at home. Next was an 87-85 victory at No. 2 seed Southeastern Louisiana after trailing by 15 in the second half. In addition, UTSA trailed by four with 24 seconds left before Justin Harbert connected on four free throws over the final 16 seconds to help steal the win. Freshman Kurt Attaway scored a career-high 24 points for the Roadrunners. Harbert and Attaway were also named to the all-tournament team.
Stephen F. Austin (21-9) lost in the Southland tournament championship game for the second year in a row.