SAN ANTONIO, Texas – UTSA shot 52 percent from the field and capitalized on 29 SIUE fouls Monday in a 75-60 triumph over the Cougars at the Convocation Center.

The Cougars fell to 5-8 to complete the nonconference portion of the schedule. SIUE will next return to action Thursday in a 4 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference matchup against Jacksonville State at the Vadalabene Center.

"The nonconference season is now behind us," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "We didn't do as well as we thought we should do. We have improved in some areas."

CoCo Moore led SIUE on offense with 15 points against UTSA followed by 13 from Tierny Austin.

The Cougars also were hampered by 23 turnovers in the final game of the UTSA Holiday Classic.

"We have to lock down on the defensive end and take care of our turnovers," said Buscher. "We have to value the basketball more and be a little bit more patient on the offensive end."

UTSA, 5-7, used 37 points off the bench to defeat SIUE. Tesha Smith led all players with 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench after hitting all six of her shots from the field. UTSA starter Ashley Spaletta added 16 points.

Buscher said that heading into the OVC regular season she is confident that her team will step up.

"We have had nights when different people who have had the ability to step up and score," she added.

A good portion of the points and rebounds have come from the Cougar newcomers. Buscher agreed her younger players have received ample playing time in the nonconference schedule to be capable during the OVC season.

"Tonight's game, however, was by necessity because three players fouled out and another had four fouls. We have had a lot of different combinations in the lineup," Buscher said.