San Antonio, TX — UTSA found its shooting touch when it mattered most Saturday evening, knocking down two crucial 3-pointers in the final minute to escape with a thrilling 70-68 victory over VMI.
The win marked an important milestone for the Roadrunners, who had gone nearly a year without a home victory. Their performance against the Keydets gave the program its first home win of the 2025-26 season and provided an early boost for a team looking to turn things around.
With the game hanging in the balance, UTSA relied on timely shooting, unselfish ball movement and composure under pressure to overcome a late deficit.
VMI appeared to have control after senior forward T.J. Johnson connected from beyond the arc with 2:42 remaining, giving the Keydets (1-2) a 64-62 advantage. Johnson finished with a game-high 17 points.
UTSA had an opportunity to answer immediately, but its 3-point attempt rolled around the rim before falling out. VMI took advantage of the missed opportunity when Rickey Bradley Jr. grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a putback layup with 1:48 remaining, extending the lead to 66-62. Bradley finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
However, the Roadrunners refused to let the game slip away.
Demari Williams helped spark the comeback, finding Mike Braxton Jr. underneath the basket for a quick layup that brought UTSA within two.
The next possession produced the game’s first major turning point.
Junior guard Josiah LeGree attacked the defense before kicking the basketball out to Williams, who was positioned beyond the 3-point line. Williams confidently knocked down the shot with 58 seconds remaining, giving UTSA a 67-66 lead.
Williams understood the importance of the moment and trusted his shooting ability.
“I knew when I caught the ball, I knew it was going up. I shot it with confidence, I didn’t really hesitate,” Williams said. “When I don’t hesitate and I just play, good things happen.”
The Roadrunners weren’t finished.
UTSA continued moving the basketball around the perimeter, forcing VMI’s defenders to rotate and close out on shooters. The extra passing eventually created an opportunity for Preston Turner, who received the ball in the right corner.
With the shot clock winding down and just eight seconds remaining in the game, the redshirt senior guard from Eastern Illinois squared up and buried another 3-pointer.
The basket extended UTSA’s advantage to 70-66 and proved to be the decisive offensive play.
Williams credited Turner’s shooting ability and explained why making the extra pass was the right decision.
“I know how good of a shooter Preston is,” Williams said. “So we teach one more pass. When I caught it, I could have shot, but he knew that he would knock it down. I have confidence in his shot.”
VMI made one final push. Alexander Daushvili secured an offensive rebound and scored on a putback with one second remaining, cutting the deficit to 70-68.
The Keydets intentionally fouled UTSA, which missed the first free throw of a one-and-one opportunity. VMI grabbed the rebound and called timeout to set up a potential game-tying possession.
However, the inbound pass went astray, resulting in a turnover that ended VMI’s comeback hopes. UTSA regained possession and held on for the two-point victory.
LeGree, Williams and junior guard K.J. Tenner each finished with 14 points to lead the Roadrunners. Bradley contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for VMI, while Johnson added 17 points. Freshman guard Rokas Zilys chipped in 11 points for the Keydets.
A New Beginning for UTSA
The victory represents an encouraging early step for a UTSA program looking to establish a different identity this season.
The Roadrunners brought in 14 new players, with sophomore guard Dorian Hayes serving as the team’s only returning player. Despite the roster turnover, UTSA has maintained the competitive spirit and aggressive approach that it hopes will define the program moving forward.
Last season was particularly difficult, with the Roadrunners finishing 4-25 overall and earning just one victory in American Athletic Conference play.
After opening the new campaign with a 95-74 road loss to San Jose State, UTSA responded with a much-needed home victory against VMI.
Saturday’s finish demonstrated the team’s ability to execute under pressure, share the basketball and deliver when the game was on the line.
For the Roadrunners, the two late 3-pointers were more than just big shots. They represented an opportunity to start building momentum and put last season’s struggles behind them.
Up Next:
- VMI: Returns home November 11 to host North Carolina Central at 6 p.m. ET.
- UTSA: Travels to face Seattle University on November 11 at 8 p.m. CT.
