Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – In a game of extended runs, a second half scoreless drought for the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team proved to be too much to overcome against visiting Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State on Thursday night at the McDermott Center.  The Bearkats won 60-51 thanks to a strong second half.

The start of the game was all Bearkats (9-9, 4-3) as Amanda Barnes scored 11 points in the first eight minutes of the game for the visitors and they led 13-2 with 12:23 left in the half.

The Cardinals (8-9, 2-3) began their own run when the score was 19-9 in favor of SHSU.  A 16-0 run put UIW in the lead and they closed the half on a 24-4 run.  Freshman Natalie Hessong (Corpus Christi/King HS) drilled a trio of three-pointers off the bench and Joslinn Douglas (Austin/Del Valle HS) capped off the run by nailing a three-pointer just before the buzzer sounded to give the Cardinals a 33-23 halftime advantage.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 14 points at the beginning of the second half when Alyssa Ward (Palmetto, FL/Palmetto HS) scored on a fast break lay-up with 16:09 remaining to make it a 43-29 game.

The Bearkats would buckle down defensively and held UIW scoreless over the next 9:06.  By the time the Cardinals scored again they were trailing 46-45.  UIW would reclaim the lead briefly, but Sam Houston limited the Cardinals to just two points in the final 5:04 to clinch the game.

Angela Beadle led the visitors with 24 points and 11 rebounds and scored 16 of her points in the second half.  Amanda Barnes chipped in with 15 points.  Overall, the team shot 41.5 percent from the field, made 4-of-15 from three-point range and was 12-of-18 at the foul line.  They had 40 rebounds and 16 turnovers in the game.

The Cardinals shot 31.6 percent from the field, including just 18.5 percent in the second half.  They were 7-of-18 from the three-point line and converted 8-of-11 from the foul line.  Hessong and Ifunanya Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) each had nine points to lead the team.  Kosisio Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) grabbed a team high seven rebounds.  They had 33 rebounds and committed 16 turnovers in the game.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. against visiting Lamar.
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