Box Score MARSHALL, TEXAS – Wiley College used excellent defense and strong rebounding to knock off previously unbeaten University of the Incarnate Word, 83-71 on Saturday afternoon in women's basketball action at Alumni Gymnasium.
The game started well for the Cardinals (5-1) who led 22-15 after a pair of free throws by Ify Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) with 11:51 remaining in the first half. After that the Wildcats (6-1) started to assert their will on the inside and they eventually wore down the Cardinals. Wiley outscored UIW, 56-28 on points in the paint and they pulled down 12 more rebounds than the Cardinals.
The Wildcats grabbed the lead from the Cardinals before halftime and led 43-39 at the break. In the second half they never allowed UIW to get closer than five points and the last time came when it was 65-60 with 7:18 to play. The lead quickly went to double digits and Wiley was not threatened the rest of the game.
The Cardinals received a career performance from Mora who scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and had eight assists. Overall, the Cardinals shot 38.6 percent from the field, made 1-of-7 from three-point range and were 26-of-40 at the foul line.
Rose Whitehead (Grapevine/Grapevine HS) came off the bench to score 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field in just 21 minutes.
Joslinn Douglas (Austin/Del Valle HS) and Kosy Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) added 12 and 10 points, respectively. UIW committed 25 turnovers in the game.
The Wildcats shot 46.7 percent from the field, made 2-of-12 from three-point range and were 11-of-21 at the foul line. Kyniddia Purdy led the team with 20 points, four assists and four steals. Kirbi Clark controlled the paint with 15 points and 16 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end. Keaira Arion finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals. WC finished the game with 17 total steals.
The Cardinals are back in action on Friday at West Texas A&M at 5 p.m.
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