Sitting atop the Heartland Conference, the Incarnate Word women's basketball team dominated the visiting Dustdevils from Texas A&M International University, 86-41, in the highest scoring night for the Cardinals in the 2009-10 season.

“I think that last time we played International, we had a lead and wound up letting them close it to about five points, so I think our girls had some external motivation,” head coach Angela Lawson said. “I think they wanted to make sure International respected them and worked hard to build that lead. We came to play tonight and when we come to play, we have a chance to beat anybody on any night.”

Senior Nia Torru led all scorers with 21 points while Hayley Harvey added 15 points and 9 rebounds and Cinnamon Kava had 11 points.

With a 47-20 lead at halftime, it wasn't long before the Cardinals (17-6 overall; 11-1 in the Heartland) had built enough of a lead that Lawson was able to start putting in players off her bench and get them some well-deserved time on the floor.

“That was awesome,” Lawson said. “We have young ladies who come in and work hard every day and maybe don't get the opportunity to get into games, so it was a good opportunity. It was good to see them come in and perform – it was good to see that and for those players to build on the lead we had and not let some of it slip away.”

Marissa Shinsky (one rebound in five minutes), Erica Sosa (one steal in seven minutes), Sarah Bullock (six points and two rebounds in five minutes) and Amy Wilson (3 points d one steal in 11 minutes) all saw time on the floor as UIW's normal rotation had earned a few minutes to sit back and enjoy their victory.

The Cardinals had 15 turnovers to TAMIU's 29 and out-rebounded the Dustdevils 38-30 to push their winning streak up to a season-high six games.

Saturday will be the final Heartland Conference game at the McDermott Center this season when Incarnate Word plays host to St. Edward's University at 2 p.m.