Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – In a game that featured seven ties and 12 lead changes it was visiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi who came out on top, 60-56 over University of the Incarnate Word in Southland Conference women's basketball action on Thursday night at the McDermott Center.

The matchup between the two close rivals was close throughout with neither team taking more than a seven-point lead at any point in the contest.  The Cardinals (8-13, 2-7) held a second half lead until 11:21 remaining after a three-pointer by Brittany Mbamalu gave the Islanders (11-11, 4-7) a two-point advantage.

The Islander lead was at seven points with 3:07 remaining before the Cardinals quickly closed the gap.  Alyssa Ward's (Palmetto, FL/Palmetto HS) steal led to a breakaway layup where she drew a foul.  She missed the free throw, but got her own rebound.  Later in the possession, Kosisio Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) drew a foul and made both foul shots to make it 57-56 TAMUCC with 35.9 remaining.

The Cardinals put on the full-court press, but fouled Alissa Campanero who sank both free throws.  UIW could not convert on their next possession and were forced to foul.  Jasmine Shaw made 1-of-2 to seal the game for the visitors.

The Cardinals shot 39.6 percent from the field, made 2-of-13 from three-point range and were 16-for-21 at the charity stripe.  Katie Novak (Homer Glen, IL/St. Joseph's) led the team with 13 points while Rose Whitehead (Grapevine/Grapevine HS) added 12 points and five rebounds.  Ward finished the game with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.  UIW was out-rebounded by a 40-28 margin, but forced four more turnovers than they committed.

The Islanders shot 37.0 percent from the field, made 6-of-19 three-point attempts and went 14-of-18 at the free throw line.  Shaw led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field.  Shola Adebayo added 11 points and four offensive rebounds.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they welcome another Southland Conference opponent, Houston Baptist, to the McDermott Center.
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