BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging underdog and a powerhouse seeking redemption will clash Saturday when the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners face the No. 1-seeded Rice Owls in an American Athletic Conference women’s basketball tournament semifinal at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

The eighth-seeded Roadrunners (17-15) have engineered a stunning run, winning three games in three days to reach this stage. They upset the top-seeded Owls (27-4) just a week ago, 61-52 in Houston, handing Rice one of its only four losses this season. That result, coupled with UTSA’s 54-44 win over East Carolina on Friday, has transformed the Roadrunners from a sub-.500 team into a dangerous tournament threat.

Rice, ranked nationally and a lock for the NCAA tournament, is heavily favored. Interstat’s ELO system projects the Owls with a 69.1% probability to win. They advanced with a tight 71-67 victory over North Texas on Friday. However, the memory of last week’s home loss to UTSA, where they shot poorly and were outrebounded, will provide ample motivation.

The matchup features two of the conference’s top guards. UTSA is fueled by the hot hand of Ereauna Hardaway, who averaged 14.7 points during the team’s current four-game win streak. She scored 15 points with four assists in Friday’s quarterfinal victory.

Rice counters with Victoria Flores, a dynamic scorer who erupted for 21 points in the quarterfinals. Her backcourt battle with Hardaway will be pivotal. Flores was held to eight points in the loss to UTSA, a performance she will aim to rectify.

The season series is split 1-1, with each team winning on its home floor. This neutral-site rubber match carries higher stakes, with a berth in the conference championship game on the line. UTSA will rely on momentum and confidence, while Rice will bank on its superior record, talent depth, and a focused effort to avenge its recent stumble.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026. The winner will advance to Sunday’s AAC tournament final.