SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word and Nicholls met up for a second straight women's basketball game on Wednesday night at the McDermott Center and the final result was the same as Saturday.  The visiting Colonels won the Southland Conference game, 69-58.

While the end result was the same, the Colonels (11-10, 7-3) had to work much harder to defeat the Cardinals (5-15, 2-7) this time.  The game was tightly contested throughout the first half, but the Colonels led the entire time.  UIW started slowly, but good defense kept them in the game.  Nicholls led 33-25 at the halftime break.

In the second half, the Colonels pushed the lead to 13 points at 42-29 after a pair of free throws by Marina Lilly with 16:20 to play.  The Cardinals responded with a 16-3 run over the 4:40 to tie the game at 45-45 on a fastbreak steal and layup by Alyssa Ward (Palmetto, FL/Palmetto HS).

After the Cardinals tied the game, the Colonels went to work drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line.  They scored on three straight possessions by going to the foul line and making two free throws.  UIW hung in the game and trailed 53-49 after a jumper by Melina Merritt (Round Rock/Cedar Ridge HS) with 7:07 to play.  Unfortunately, the Cardinals would not score again until a three-pointer by Merritt with 1:42 left.  In between, the Colonels scored 15 straight points to put the game away.

The Cardinals shot 41.8 percent from the field, made 4-of-9 from three-point range and were 8-of-17 at the charity stripe.  Yvonne Maosa (Mansfield/Mansfield HS) led the team with 13 points and nine rebounds while Haley Frias (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) added 13 points and drained three three-pointers.  Jazmine Holman (Arlington/Arlington Bowie HS) had eight points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Colonels shot 42.6 percent from the floor, made 5-of-14 from three-point range and were 18-of-21 at the foul line.  Jenny Nash scored a game high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting.  Tia Charles added 15 points while Veronica Ryan had 11 points off the bench.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 5 p.m. against Lamar.  The game will be shown on ESPN3.
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