Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team shot 28.6 percent from the field on Saturday against Lone Star Conference rival Cameron University, but an impressive defensive effort gave the team a 43-36 win at the McDermott Center. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (5-2, 2-0) appeared like they were going to blow the Aggies (1-5, 0-2) out after they opened up a 21-3 lead in the first half.  They would go into halftime with a comfortable 28-14 lead after harassing the visitors into 15 turnovers that led to 17 UIW points.

As the second half started, the Aggies suddenly put together a brilliant stretch of offensive basketball.  They poured in 14 points in the first 4:19 to pull to within two points of the Cardinals.  Chelsea Stamp keyed the run by drilling three-pointers at each end of the 14-2 run to start the half.

However, that would be nearly all the offense the Aggies could generate.  The Cardinals stiffened up defensively and limited CU to just three points over the next 11:35.  Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not find the range in the second half and led just 36-33 with 3:05 remaining in the game.

The Aggies closed to within 37-35 with 1:36 remaining after a short jumper by Hannah Pollart.  UIW head coach Angela Lawson quickly called a timeout and drew up a play that ended up putting Katy Cooke (Marble Falls/Marble Falls HS) at the foul line with 1:06 to play.  She hit 1-of-2, but then Ify Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) made the play of the game for the Cardinals by stealing the ball and converting it into a layup to push the lead to five points.  The Cards forced two more turnovers in the final minute and iced the game at the foul line.

The Cardinals went 14-of-49 from the field, made 1-of-10 from three-point range and were 14-of-22 at the foul line.  Lauren McKinney (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) and Mora each led the team with 11 points apiece.  Ashlyn Green (Irving/Irving HS) pulled down seven rebounds.  Overall, the team had 27 rebounds, 11 steals and 12 turnovers.

The Aggies shot 32.4 percent from the field, made 4-of-15 from three-point land and were 7-of-9 at the charity stripe.  Stamp led the team with 11 points before fouling out.  Pollart added eight points and six rebounds.  They had 37 rebounds, four steals and committed 32 turnovers.

The Cardinals are back in action next Saturday at 2 p.m. at home against Texas A&M-International.
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