SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team came home to the McDermott Convocation Center on Wednesday and they defeated Texas Lutheran, 62-41.

The first half was ugly for both teams as the Cardinals (3-5) shot 32.4 percent from the floor and the Bulldogs (2-4) hit on 18.2 percent of their shot attempts.  UIW dominated the action, but could not convert on their inside opportunities.  They had 15 offensive rebounds, but they only turned into seven points.  The Bulldogs were able to hang around by getting to the foul line where they outscored the Cardinals, 11-2 in the half.

The Cardinals went into halftime with a 26-20 lead and they were able to bump it up to an 11-point advantage after a jumper by Aricka Adams (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) with 15:06 left.  The UIW defense held TLU without a point for a seven-minute stretch at one point in the second half and that ended any thoughts of an upset for the visitors.

The Cardinals shot 50 percent from the field in the second half and it was Adams who spear-headed the attack.  She was just 1-of-4 from the field for two points in the first half, but then went 6-for-9 in the second half and scored 16 more points.

The Cardinals shot 40.0 percent from the field for the game while going 1-of-6 from three-point range and 9-of-17 at the charity stripe.  Adams led the way with 18 points, four assists and three steals.  Samantha Swarts (Liberty Hill/Faith Academy HS) had a brilliant performance off the bench with 12 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.  Yvonne Maosa (Mansfield/Mansfield HS) added 13 rebounds and four steals while Melina Merritt (Round Rock/Cedar Ridge HS) chipped in with six points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.  UIW had 24 more rebounds than the Bulldogs.  They had 16 steals, but committed 23 turnovers.

The Bulldogs shot 24.1 percent from the field, made 4-of-15 from three-point range and were 11-of-15 at the foul line.  Taylor Dydalewicz and Katie Moore each had nine points to lead the team.  Moore scored all of her points in just six minutes of action.  Karisa Cantu had seven points, five assists and five steals.  They had 18 steals and committed 24 turnovers.

The Cardinals are back in action on Monday at 6 p.m. against Our Lady of the Lake at home.
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