SAN MARCOS, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team held its own with Texas State on Tuesday night and Celia Garcia Paunero poured in a career-high 19 points and 13 rebounds, but the Bobcats put together a dominant fourth quarter and escaped with a 67-50 victory over the Cardinals at Strahan Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
After a Cheyenne Berry buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the third quarter, the Cardinals (0-2) trailed by just four points heading into the final frame, but the Bobcats came out like a freight train in the fourth, scoring 18 unanswered to take a stranglehold on the game.
 
Texas State scored the first two buckets of the game to grab a quick 4-0 advantage, but UIW fought back, matching the host team step-for-step in a low-scoring first quarter. At the end of one, the Bobcats maintained a 15-10 lead.
 
The second quarter was just as evenly-matched. After a cold start by both teams, Texas State hit a three at the 7:21 mark, which was answered by a Melina Merritt made basket from beyond the arc with 5:34 remaining. A Merritt layup exactly one minute later cut the Bobcat advantage to three, and the teams traded scores for the remainder of the half, with Texas State holding a 25-20 lead at intermission.
 
The Cardinals continued to battle in the third, matching each run by the Bobcats, but despite a valiant effort, Texas State ran away from UIW in the final frame.
 
LEADERS
 
Garcia Paunero finished with two assists and two steals to go along with her 19-and-13 double-double. Merritt and Imani Robinson each tallied 10 points, while Berry dished out a team-high four assists.
 
Whitney Apari (16 points), Ericka May (11 boards) and Toshua Leavitt (five assists) led the Bobcats.
 
QUOTES
 
OVERALL THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH CHRISTY SMITH
 
"We played well for the first three quarters and then just couldn't finish the forth. Texas State did a really nice job attacking and finishing at the rim especially in the fourth quarter. We are still learning and growing. Our players are doing a really good job of listening and trying to make the adjustments we ask of them. I'm very proud of their effort."

UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals next head 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.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals will face Eastern Michigan in the team's home-opener at the McDermott Convocation Center on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m.
 
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