SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team battled for a full 40 minutes on Thursday night at the McDermott Center, but came up short against visiting Southland Conference rival Abilene Christian University, 72-62.

The Wildcats (17-11, 9-8) jumped out in front of the Cardinals (5-23, 2-15) right from the tip and led 17-3 after a three-pointer by Alexis Mason with 13:18 left in the first half.  UIW did not give in and made the visitors work for their victory.

The Cardinals responded with a 13-3 run to make it 20-16 in favor of ACU with 6:57 left in the first half after a pair of free throws by Shanise Brooks (Topeka, KS/Highland Park HS).  ACU pushed the lead back to 13 points after a 14-5 run that was capped by another three-pointer from Mason with 1:38 to play in the period.  The Cardinals kept it close by scoring the final five points of the half.

The second half went much the same way as the final 13 minutes of the first half.  The Cardinals would get close only to see the Wildcats put on a spurt to push the lead back to double figures.  A Brooks jumper two minutes into the half made it a 4-point game, but then the Cardinals started to foul and could not stop.  They committed 10 fouls in the first 7:21 of the half and ACU was able to take advantage. 

The Wildcats were 20-of-23 from the foul line in the second half which was a big reason why they were able to hold off the Cardinals.  UIW's last gasp came when they cut the lead to seven points with 2:08 remaining and were able to get a stop on defense, but they were not able to convert on the offensive end.  Whitney West scored on a layup for the Wildcats on the return possession to effectively end the Cardinals' chances at a win.

The Cardinals shot 40.4 percent from the field, made 2-of-8 from three-point range and were 18-of-25 at the charity stripe.  Yvonne Maosa (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) led the team with 17 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field.  Brooks finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals while Aricka Adams (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) chipped in with 12 points.  Jazmine Holman (Arlington/Arlington Bowie HS) dished out seven assists.

The Wildcats were led by the Dimba sisters.  Suzzy had 16 points and four rebounds before fouling out.  Lizzy finished with a game high 20 points and five rebounds.  The team shot 39.2 percent from the field, made 7-of-21 from three-point range and they were 25-of-28 from the foul line.  Mason came off the bench to provide a spark for the team with 16 points and six rebounds on 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range.

The Cardinals close out the season on Saturday when they host Houston Baptist University at 2 p.m.
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