Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Houston Baptist University used a decided advantage on points in the paint to come back from a 6-point halftime deficit to defeat the University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday in women's Southland Conference basketball action at the McDermott Center, 70-65.

For the second time this week, the Cardinals (8-14, 2-8) let a halftime lead slip through their hands.  UIW was able to get the visiting Huskies (10-13, 6-6) in foul trouble in the first half.  They took advantage at the foul line hitting 8-of-10 attempts.  Late in the half, the Cardinals got a pair of outstanding blocks from Kosisio Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) and Ifunanya Mora (Grand Prairie/Arlington Bowie HS) in the final 12 seconds that kept the lead at 29-23.

In the second half, the Huskies were difficult to stop on offense as they hit on 55.6 percent of their field goal attempts and went 16-of-22 at the foul line.  Wiebke Bruns and Anna Strickland gave the team a spark off the bench.  Bruns would finish with seven points, six assists and five rebounds and her speed gave UIW problems.  Strickland added eight points, five rebounds and three assists as star forward Shanice Steenholdt was on the bench for long periods of time with foul problems.

The key plays in the game were a three-pointer by Tayler Jefferson with 4:07 remaining to give HBU a 57-51 lead and Monet Neal's conventional three-point play with 3:07 left to make it 60-53.  Jefferson's three-pointer was the only one the team made all night long.

The Cardinals did not give up without a fight even when they were down by 10 points with 51 seconds to play.  They got to within four points with 12 seconds left on three-pointer by Kosy Mora, but no closer.

The Cardinals shot 38.0 percent from the field, made 3-of-9 from three-point range and were 24-of-34 at the foul line.  Ify Mora led the team with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists while making 13-of-15 from the foul line.  Kosy added 15 points and 14 rebounds while Rose Whitehead (Grapevine/Grapevine HS) chipped in with 13 points.  The team had 35 rebounds and committed 14 turnovers.

The Huskies finished the game shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 9.1 percent from long range.  They were 17-of-24 at the foul line overall.  Rachel Arthur led the team with 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting.  Steenholdt added 11 points and 10 rebounds.  They had 40 rebounds and committed 13 turnovers.  They outscored UIW, 46-20 on points in paint.

The Cardinals are back in action on Thursday at home at 6 p.m. against Abilene Christian in a game that will appear on ESPN3.
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