Led by senior Hayley Harvey's 24 points and clutch free throws in the final seconds by senior Nia Torru, the Incarnate Word women's basketball team ended their two-game losing skid with a 61-58 victory over Texas-Permian Basin.
The win was big because it put UIW's record over .500 with a 5-4 standing, but it was also crucial because it game the Cardinals a victory in the team's first Heartland Conference matchup of the 2009-2010 season.
With 00:52 left to play in regulation, Incarnate Word trailed by one when senior guard Cinnamon Kava hit a jump shot for the 59-58 lead. On UTPB's next possession, Harvey came up with a big steal (her third of the contest) and helped get the ball into the Falcons' defensive end, where Permian Basin fouled Torru – who has shot better than 70 percent from the free throw line all season.
Torru made her two shots and pushed UIW's lead to 61-58. From there, Incarnate Word weathered two 3-point shot-attempts by UTPB and held on for the win.
Harvey added nine rebounds to her 24 points in 32 minutes of play. The only other Cardinal who threatened to break double digits in scoring was fellow post and senior LaShae Woodard with nine.
Torru scored 5 and Kava had six. In all, eight Cardinals scored in the win.
Up next for UIW is a 2 p.m. conference matchup against Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Saturday.
