BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Three Roadrunners scored in double figures as No. 6 UTSA defeated No. 2 East Carolina, 54–44, in the semifinals of the 2026 American Women’s Basketball Championship on Friday evening at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
With the win, the Roadrunners (17–15) advance to the championship game on Saturday, March 14, at 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU, where they will face No. 1 Rice. UTSA handed the Owls their lone conference loss of the season on the final day of the regular season one week ago.
 
The game was tied at 24 at halftime as the Roadrunners shot 50 percent from the floor but committed 12 turnovers, which the Pirates converted into 11 points.
 
During a 6–0 run, a pair of free throws from Idara Udo put the Roadrunners ahead with 5:34 remaining in the game, a lead they would never relinquish. UTSA continued to pull away, ending the game on a 7–0 run with five of those points coming from the free throw line.
 
Ereauna Hardaway led the Roadrunners with 15 points, while Cheyenne Rowe scored 11 points and Idara Udo added 10 points.
 
Three Pirates reached double figures: Kennedy Fauntleroy (12 points), Jayla Hearp (11 points) and Keanna Rembert (10 points).