SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team gave Abilene Christian all it could handle on Thursday night, but the Wildcats used a strong third quarter to power past the Cardinals at the McDermott Convocation Center and move into a tie for first place in the Southland Conference.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (5-15, 3-6 SLC) came out strong in the opening minutes, and with 3:37 remaining in the first, held a 15-14 lead over ACU (12-7, 6-1 SLC). The Wildcats responded with a 13-2 run to end the frame, and secured a 27-17 advantage after one.
 
The Cardinals punched back with an 11-0 run to open the second quarter, stealing the lead at the 3:38 mark, 28-27. With 10 seconds remaining in the half, Melina Merritt sank a layup off of a dish by Cheyenne Berry and UIW took a 36-32 lead into the break.
 
The Cardinals pushed their advantage to five points at the 6:48 mark of the third, but ACU finished the quarter on a 20-7 run to grab an eight-point lead after three.
 
UIW cut the Wildcat advantage to four on multiple occasions in the fourth, but the Cardinals unable to climb all the way back into the ballgame and the Wildcats held on for the victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
UIW shot a higher percentage than ACU from the floor and from three-point range. The Cardinals hit 39.7 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc, compared to 36.4 percent and 31.0 percent by the Wildcats. UIW was efficient as usual from the charity stripe, shooting 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the free throw line. In comparison, ACU shot just 66.7 percent (14-of-21).
 
The Wildcats won the battle of the boards, 48-37, and earned a 16-6 advantage on second chance points. The Cardinals picked up a 26-12 edge on points in the paint, a 16-9 advantage on points off turnovers, an 11-2 edge on fast break points and a 19-7 advantage on bench points.
 
The game was won and lost at the three-point line. ACU took an astounding 42 shots from beyond the arc, connecting on 13. UIW finished 6-of-19 from deep.
 
LEADERS
 
Celia Garcia Paunero turned in her customary double-double, tallying 18 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with three assists and a block. Berry finished with 15 points, six boards and a team-high six assists on the night. Imani Robinson contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals and a block, while Haley Frias and Alexandra Busby-Leija chipped in eight and seven points respectively.
 
Alexis Mason (26 points), Lizzy Dimba (11 boards) and Suzzy Dimba (four assists) paced the Wildcats.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Conway for a matchup with Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW will host rival Houston Baptist at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
 
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.