THIBODAUX, La. – For the first time since becoming a league member, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team won its Southland Conference opener, earning a 78-52 victory over Nicholls on Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
Cheyenne Berry led UIW with a record-setting day, turning in the most accurate shooting performance in league history. Berry went 10-of-10 from the floor, including 1-of-1 from three-point range, and finished with 22 points, nine assists, six rebounds and a steal.
 
The win marks the first time since 2013 that the Cardinals won three consecutive games. UIW scored more points on Saturday than any of the team's previous 31 SLC contests.
 
HOW IT WAS WON

The Cardinals (3-9, 1-0 SLC) scored the first seven points of the game, punctuated by a Haley Frias three-pointer at the 6:44 mark. The Colonels (3-9, 0-1 SLC) fought back, but UIW gradually pulled ahead for a 20-11 first-quarter advantage.
 
Both teams traded baskets through a low-scoring second, and the Cardinals took a 31-20 lead at the break.
 
UIW shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from three-point range in the first half, while holding Nicholls to just 22.6 percent and 27.3 percent respectively.
 
The Cardinals padded their advantage in the third quarter, before putting the game away with an impressive fourth, outscoring the Colonels, 27-17, in the final frame.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
UIW won the battle of the boards, 47-22, which led to a 28-36 edge on points in the paint and a 10-6 advantage on second chance points. The Cardinals also picked up a 19-10 edge on fast break points and a 20-16 advantage on bench points.
 
Nicholls committed just nine turnovers in the game, compared to 21 by UIW. The Colonels finished the game with a 21-10 edge on points off turnovers.
 
The Cardinals shot 61.2 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from beyond the arc, while holding Nicholls to 29.0 percent and 20.7 percent respectively.
 
LEADERS
 
Berry surpassed the previous Southland Conference record for the most accurate shooting performance, set by Janelle Perez of Northwestern State. Perez shot 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the floor against Sam Houston on Jan. 4, 2016. Imani Robinson posted career-highs in points (17) and rebounds (nine), while contributing two assists. Frias also turned in a 17-point outing, while adding three boards and three assists. Celia Garcia Paunero registered 12 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win.
 
Hope Pawlowski paced the Colonels with 12 points and three assists, both team highs. Taylor Morrison grabbed seven boards to lead Nicholls.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW will look for its fourth-straight victory as the squad heads to Hammond for a league matchup against Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. on January 2.

STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals return to the Alamo City to host Northwestern State at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the McDermott Convocation Center.
 
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.