THIBODAUX, LOUISIANA – After going 14 months without a road win against a Division I opponent, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team has now won three straight away from home in the Southland Conference.  The Cardinals held of Nicholls on Wednesday night, 63-61 at Stopher Gym.

The Cardinals (6-14, 3-6) built up a 10-point lead early in the third quarter after a short jumper by Quincy Baker (Houston/Klein HS) to make it 35-25.  The Colonels (7-13, 5-5) closed on a 13-3 run and tied the game at 38-38.  The game went back and forth from that point with five more ties and four more lead changes.

The final lead change of the game came on a fast break layup by Brianna Williams (Wylie/Mesquite HS) to give the Cardinals a 53-52 lead with 3:07 remaining in the game.  Haley Frias (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) immediately followed with a three-pointer on the next possession.  The Colonels were able to cut it to two points, three times in the final 1:05, but each time the Cardinals were able to make key free throws or make an important stop on defense.

The Cardinals shot 41.5 percent from the field, made 4-of-14 from three-point range and were 15-of-18 at the foul line.  Aricka Adams (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) led the team with 14 points and five rebounds while Williams finished with 13 points and eight rebounds while making 7-of-7 from the foul line.  Baker chipped in with 12 points and seven boards.

Nicholls shot 35.8 percent from the field, made 6-of-21 from three-point range and were 7-of-15 at the charity stripe.  Taylor Morrison led the team with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  LiAnn McCarthy had 13 points and five rebounds while Cassidy Barrios had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.  The Colonels had five more rebounds and three fewer turnovers than UIW.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they travel to Lamar University.  The game will be shown on ESPN3.
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