HAMMOND, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team picked up its fourth-consecutive victory and remains undefeated in Southland Conference action after an 85-76 win over Southeastern La. at University Center Arena on Monday afternoon.
 
HOW IT WAS WON

In a contentious game that featured eight ties and four lead changes, the Cardinals (4-9, 2-0 SLC) had to seal their victory at the charity stripe in the final minutes. Trailing by as many as 11 points in the fourth, the Lions (2-11, 0-2 SLC) were forced to intentionally foul one of the Southland's best free-throw shooting teams. UIW responded by knocking down 9-of-12 attempts at the charity stripe over the final 2:51.
 
The Cardinals scored first on Monday and after a Haley Frias shot from deep, took a 7-2 advantage at the 4:45 mark of the opening quarter. Southeastern La. fought back, and after a Taylin Underwood three-ball, tied the contest at 11 apiece with 2:28 remaining in the frame. The teams traded buckets, before Jaclyn Scholvin hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the Lions an 18-15 advantage after one.
 
Southeastern La. held a 28-26 lead at the 5:12 mark of the second quarter, but UIW rattled off a 10-0 run to flip the momentum. Just when it looked as though the Cardinals were pulling away, the Lions closed out the frame with an 8-2 run of their own, and UIW took a 41-38 advantage into the locker room.
 
Southeastern La. scored the first five points out of break to steal a two-point lead, but the Cardinals switched gears, outscoring the Lions, 25-14, over the remainder of the quarter.
 
UIW secured its largest advantage of the day, 70-59, after a Celia Garcia Paunero layup with 8:42 remaining in the fourth. Both teams traded baskets, and after a Cheyenne Berry layup, the Cardinals held a 10-point lead with 4:39 left to play. Southeastern La. turned the game into a free-throw shooting contest and UIW prevailed.

THE BREAKDOWN

The Cardinals shot 47.5 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range, while holding the Lions to 46.0 percent and 29.2 percent respectively. UIW picked up a significant edge at the charity stripe, shooting 75.8 percent (25-of-33), compared to just 64.7 percent (11-of-17) by Southeastern La.
 
The Cardinals bench outscored the Lions reserves, 26-13. UIW earned a 17-14 edge on points off turnovers and a 6-4 advantage on second change points. Southeastern La. picked up an 11-2 edge on fast break points.
 
LEADERS
 
Garcia Paunero earned her eighth double-double of the season, with 22 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Imani Robinson registered a career scoring effort for the second-consecutive game, racking up 20 points, to go along with two boards, two steals and an assist. Berry turned in a solid stat line of 16 points, six rebounds and an assist, while Frias registered 11 points, seven boards, a steal and an assist. Melina Merritt paced the squad with four assists, while contributing eight points, two rebounds and two steals.
 
Underwood led the Lions in points (27), assists (eight) and boards (six).

NOTABLES

The Cardinals scored more points on Monday than in any of the team's previous 44 league games since joining the Southland.
 
UP NEXT

UIW returns to San Antonio for a battle with Northwestern State at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals will welcome New Orleans to the McDermott Convocation Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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