SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team dropped an entertaining game to visiting Grand Canyon University on Tuesday night, 72-67 at the McDermott Center.
The game was a back-and-forth affair that featured nine ties and 13 lead changes. Neither team led by more than seven points the entire game. The Cardinals (3-8) dominated the paint outscoring the Antelopes (5-7), 32-12 on points in the paint. However, the Lopes knocked down 12 three-pointers on just 25 attempts.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early 15-8 lead on a 9-0 run, but the Lopes responded with a 12-0 run, all on three-pointers. The game would continue that way as each team tried to gain the upper hand. UIW took a 59-52 lead on a free throw by
Shanise Brooks (Topeka, KS/Seward CC) with 6:05 remaining in the game.
The Lopes finally took control of the game with a 15-2 run over the next three minutes. Three-pointers by August Touchard and Casey Rarrick on back-to-back possessions gave the visitors a lead they would not relinquish. The Cardinals got as close as two points after a three-pointer by
Aricka Adams (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) with under a minute to play. A conventional three-point play by Rarrick cinched the game for the Lopes.
The Cardinals shot 41.5 percent from the field, made 4-of-9 from three-point range and were 9-of-13 at the foul line. Brooks led the team with 19 points and 17 rebounds, both season highs. Adams finished with 16 points while
Jazmine Holman (Arlington/Bowie HS) added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists. The team had four more rebounds than GCU and committed one less turnover.
The Lopes shot 38.5 percent from the field, 48.0 percent from three-point range and were 20-of-25 at the charity stripe. Rarrick led the team with 15 points off the bench, while Jessica Gajewski scored 14 points. Madison Craig and Touchard each scored in double figures.
The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State.
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