SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team got off to a slow start against Rice and the Cardinals were unable to climb back into the ballgame as the Owls held on for a 60-43 victory at the McDermott Convocation Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (0-6) shot just 12.5 percent in the first quarter on Saturday and Rice (5-2) took full advantage, pulling ahead for a dominant 22-6 lead after one. Poor shooting continued to plague the Cardinals, who went 1-for-19 inside the arc over the first 23 minutes of action.
 
While UIW was ice cold inside three-point range, the Cardinals shot 50.0 percent from deep and were perfect at the free throw line in the second quarter. After a pair of Cheyenne Berry free throws, UIW trailed by just 11, but Rice closed out the frame with a 5-0 run to take a 34-18 advantage into halftime.
 
The Owls stormed out of the break, increasing their lead to as many as 25 points, but the Cardinals punched back in a major way. UIW put together a 15-0 run that extended from the third to the fourth quarter, and after a made three-pointer by Alexandra Busby-Leija, the Cardinals trailed by just 10 points with 6:50 remaining in the game.
 
Despite the valiant effort, 50-50 balls and 50-50 calls seemed to trend towards Rice over the final minutes as the Owls held on for the win.
 
THE BREAKDOWN

UIW shot 27.6 percent from the floor and 30.4 percent from beyond the arc, while Rice shot 45.8 percent and 50.0 percent respectively. The Owls earned a 24-12 advantage on points in the paint, 8-0 advantage on fast break points, 15-5 advantage on bench points and a 40-30 rebounding edge. The Cardinals outscored Rice, 16-10, on points off turnovers. UIW also held a slight 8-6 edge on fast break points.
 
LEADERS

Celia Garcia Paunero narrowly missed her fourth double-double of the year, finishing with 16 points, nine boards, two assists and a steal. Melina Merritt paced the Cardinals with five assists, while contributing five points, two rebounds and a steal. Berry and Tanjunique Ajeto each grabbed a team-high four steals. Berry added 12 points.
 
Shani Rainey led the Owls with 20 points and six boards. Maya Hawkins dished out a team-leading six assists, to go along with 11 points.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW will next travel up I35 for a 3 p.m. date with North Texas on Dec. 10 in Denton.

STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals will then head to Wichita, Kan. to face Murray State and Wichita State in the Shocker Winter Classic.
 
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.