FORT WORTH, Texas – University of the Incarnate Word junior
Celia Garcia Paunero finished with a career-high nine points and freshman
Imani Robinson grabbed a career-high nine rebounds against a talented TCU squad on Friday night, but the Horned Frogs pulled away in the second half to take an 88-40 victory over the Cardinals in the first game under Head Coach
Christy Smith.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams battled through a defensive stalemate over the opening minutes with neither team reaching double figures until a Adeola Akomolafe layup gave TCU a 10-4 advantage with under two minutes left in the first quarter.
Cheyenne Berry knocked down a pair of free throws with 24 seconds remaining in the frame, but the Horned Frogs held a 19-9 lead after one.
UIW battled back in the second quarter and after a
Courtney Cook jumper at the 8:45 mark the Cardinals trailed by just eight points. TCU quickly answered with a Sydney Coleman layup that sparked six straight points by the Horned Frogs. UIW punched back with three-pointers from Garcia Paunero and
Haley Frias, but TCU closed the half on a 12-6 run to take a 38-23 advantage into the break.
The Horned Frogs blew things open in the third, outscoring the Cardinals by 20 points to take a 64-29 lead, before cruising in the fourth quarter.
UIW shot just 18.8 percent from the floor and 15.8 percent from three-point range, while surrendering 53.6 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from beyond the arc to TCU. The Cardinals also committed 17 turnovers compared to just seven by the Horned Frogs.
LEADERS
Garcia Paunero led the Cardinals with three boards, a block and an assist, to go along with her team-high nine points. Robinson contributed an assist and nine rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Berry dished out three assists and was second on the team in scoring with eight points in the loss.
Amy Okonkwo spearheaded the attack for the Horned Frogs with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Moore finished with 10 points and nine boards, while AJ Alix led TCU with four assists.
UP NEXT
UIW will see its next action a bit closer to home as the squad heads to Texas State for a 7 p.m. contest on Tuesday in San Marcos.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals will travel to Missoula, Mont. to face Montana and Utah State at the Lady Griz Classic. UIW will take on the host Griz at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and the Aggies at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
