For the third consecutive game, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team scored 71 points of more… and for the three times in as many games, the UIW women won.
Back at the McDermott Center on Monday night, Incarnate Word defeated visiting Texas A&M International University, 71-58, with four Cardinals scoring double figures and improving the squad's overall record to 3-7.
Incarnate Word won the turnover battle, 14-to-23, and made the most out of 17 trips to the free throw line with 13 freebies to TAMIU's 6-of-11 effort.
Cardinals coach Angela Lawson was complimentary of the effort she saw from the players, despite the team being a little tired from a recent road trip to Texas-Permian Basin, where UIW got into a shooting fest against the Falcons and came out with a 96-93 victory. Against the Dustdevils (3-13), Lawson saw more development and players making progress as the system has started becoming second nature.
“I think every time you see us step out on the floor, you see someone grow up,” Lawson commented. “I just like the fact that I'm seeing progress with some people. Overall, you'll take a win regardless –especially when you started out 0-7.”
But although the Cardinals have a nice streak going, the glaring weakness in the team's game is still rebounding – losing that battle on the stat sheet 49-37.
“Rebounding is probably our biggest weakness and will probably be all year until we make some changes,” Lawson said simply.
TAMIU was led by a monstrous double-double effort by Johnna Williams, whose 29 points and 12 rebounds kept the Dustdevils from falling too far behind the whole game.
However, the Cardinals matched the 36 points by TAMIU in the paint and really blew out the visitors with a 24-to-8 advantage in points coming directly from turnovers.
Katy Cooke was UIW's leading scoring with 15 points, adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds to her stat line. Chloe Wallace had 13 points and 7 rebounds; Ifunanya Mora had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals; and Brittany Jackson added 10 points.
The Cardinals will be on the road later this week for two Lone Star Conference Crossover games against Texas A&M-Commerce (Thursday) and Texas Women's University (Saturday).
