Texas-San Antonio 81, Northwestern St. 78

1/19/2008 7:57 PM

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -Melvin Smith made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime to lead Texas-San Antonio past Northwestern State 81-78 on Saturday.

Smith's shot was the last of 37 3-point attempts by the Roadrunners (8-8, 2-1 Southland), who made 15. Joey Shank led UTSA with 26 points, hitting eight of 14 from 3-point range.

Trey Gilder, who led the Demons (7-11, 3-1) with 23 points, forced overtime by making two free throws with 15 seconds left to tie the score at 73-73.

The overtime was scoreless until Gilder hit a layup with 2:30 remaining. Shank answered with a 3-pointer, but Colby Bargeman put Northwestern State back in front with a layup.

The Demons were up 78-76 when Smith hit the go-ahead 3-pointer, and Smith made two free throws with 6 seconds remaining after a Northwestern turnover. The Demons' Michael McConathy missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 2 seconds left.

UTSA ran out to a 26-7 lead, but Northwestern State finished the first half with a 13-2 run to cut its deficit to six. The Demons kept the comeback going in the second half, eventually taking a 60-52 lead with 8:20 remaining after an 18-4 run.

Devin Gibson had 17 points and 10 assists for UTSA, although he also had 10 turnovers. Keith Spencer had 10 points and 15 rebounds.

Devin White had 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for Northwestern State.