Box Score COMMERCE, TEXAS – In the first game of the New Year, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team was held scoreless over the final 4:42 of the game and dropped a 60-51 decision on the road at Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Commerce on Wednesday. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (7-3, 3-1) and Lions (4-5, 2-2) engaged in a game of runs with each side controlling play for minutes at a time.  The Lions went on the offensive with 4:45 remaining in the first half and posted a 10-0 run to take a 28-20 lead heading into halftime.  The Cardinals opened the second half on a 14-2 run.  They built the lead up to seven points at 45-38 with 9:50 left in the game after a free throw by Ify Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS).

The Lions followed with a 7-0 run to tie the game and then closed out the game on a 13-2 run.  They received outstanding play from their bench as Danielle Dixon led the team with 18 points and seven rebounds while Amber Carver posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Commerce outscored the Lions, 41-9 on bench points.

The Cardinals shot 37.5 percent from the field, made 4-of-19 from three-point range and were 11-for-17 at the foul line.  Ashlyn Green (Irving/Irving HS) led the team with 21 points and five steals.  Katy Cooke (Marble Falls/Marble Falls HS) added 11 points, seven assists and five steals.  The team committed 19 turnovers and grabbed 27 rebounds.

The Lions shot 44.6 percent from the field, made 1-of-10 from behind the three-point arc and were 9-of-16 from the foul line.  In addition to Dixon and Carver, La'Tisha Hearne had 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Kourtney Briscoe and Devin Oliver each dished out six assists.  The team had 43 rebounds and committed 22 turnovers.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. at home against Tarleton State.
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