HOUSTON, TEXAS – Two free throws by Shanise Brooks (Topeka, KS/Highland Park HS) with two ticks left on the clock gave the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team a 50-48 victory at University of Houston on Monday night.

The Cardinals (1-1) led 45-35 with 7:13 remaining in the game, but then struggled against the pressure defense of the Cougars (1-1) down the stretch at the Hofheinz Pavilion.  Houston scratched and clawed their way back into the game and cut the UIW lead to two points after a jumper by Jessieka Palmer with 1:56 to play.  Brooks answered with two free throws for the Cardinals, but then Alecia Smith's three-pointer with 27 seconds made it a one-point game.

After the Cardinals went 1-for-2 at the foul line, the Cougars got the ball back with 24 seconds left.  Palmer missed her initial attempt to tie the game, but got her own rebound and took a time out.  Coming out of the time out, Palmer scored on a lay-up to tie the game with seven seconds to play.  The Cardinals quickly pushed the ball down the court and Brooks was fouled.  She calmly drained a pair of free throws and the Cougars' last second shot was off the mark.

"We followed the game play to the T," said UIW head coach Kate Henderson.  "We played well defensively and rebounded well against an athletic team.  It was a great team win."

Overall, the Cardinals and Cougars had four ties and five lead changes.  UIW led for the majority of the game, 30:58 to be exact.  Their biggest lead of the game came early in the second half after a lay-up by Brooks made it a 12-point game.

The Cardinals shot 36.4 percent from the field and made 2-of-12 from three-point range while going 16-of-27 at the charity stripe.  Brooks had 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks while making all six of her free throws.  It was her first appearance for UIW this year after missing most of the preseason with an injury.  Yvonne Maosa (Mansfield/Mansfield HS) scored 10 points in only 16 minutes.  Jazmine Holman (Arlington/Arlington Bowie HS) came off the bench to grab 10 rebounds and dish out four assists while playing all but one minute of the game.

The Cougars shot 29.5 percent from the field, made 5-of-22 from three-point range and were 7-of-16 at the foul line.  Smith led the team with 16 points, four assists and four three-pointers.  Palmer added 12 points and eight rebounds.  Bianca Winslow handed out a game-high five assists.

The Cardinals pulled down nine more rebounds than the Cougars, but committed eight more turnovers.  UH committed 26 fouls in the contest.

The Cardinals are back in action on Thursday at 6 p.m. at home against University of St. Thomas on Employee Appreciation Night.
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