UTSA 73, Mizzou-KC 61

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San Antonio —Junior Joey Shank drained six 3-pointers as part of a game-high 23 points to help lead UTSA past UMKC, 73-61, on Thursday night at the Convocation Center.

With their record now at 4-1, the Roadrunners are off to their best start since 2001-02. The Kangaroos dropped to 3-4 with the loss.

UTSA broke open a close game, outscoring UMKC, 45-34, behind 63 percent shooting in the second half.

Shank was 6-of-10 from downtown and 5-of-5 from the free throw line and he grabbed a season-best six rebounds as part of his career night. Senior Keith Spencer scored 14 points, his second straight game in double digits, and pulled down a team-best seven boards. Freshman JohnMark Ludwick was 5-of-6 from the floor in posting a season-high 12 points, while fellow freshman Devin Gibson dished out a season-high 10 assists with no turnovers, as UTSA posted an 18-to-nine  ratio ont he night.

UTSA shot 48.1 percent for the game and converted 9-of-18 from behind the arc. The Roadrunners held the Kangaroos, who entered the game with 59 3-pointers (9.8 per game) on the year, to just five on the night.

Dane Brumagin poured in 17 to lead UMKC, while Brent Stephens and Reggie Hamilton added 13 and 10, respectively.

Trailing 12-8 early, UTSA went on a 6-0 run to take a 14-12 advantage with 10:50 left in the half. The Roadrunners held the Kangaroos scoreless for the next five minutes until a Brumagin 3-pointer from the corner at the 7:48 mark put UMKC back on top, 15-14.

UTSA finished the half on an 8-2 run capped by treys from Shank — one of his four in the half — and junior Orrin Greer to take a 28-27 lead into the locker room.

Shank drained another three and Spencer threw down his third dunk to key a 10-2 run over the first two minutes of the second half, as UTSA jumped out quickly to a nine-point advantage.

UMKC pulled back to within 40-36, but UTSA answered with a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to build a comfortable, double-digit lead. The Roadrunners led by as many as 18 down the stretch and never allowed the Kangaroos any closer than 11 the rest of the way.

The Roadrunners conclude their three-game home stand on Saturday against SMU. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center and the game will be televised in the San Antonio area on Time Warner Cable channel 50.