CONWAY, Ark. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team was notched in a 50-50 tie with Central Arkansas midway through the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon, but the Sugar Bears scored the final 13 points of the ballgame and powered past the Cardinals for a 63-50 victory at the Farris Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (5-16, 3-7 SLC) trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half, but came alive in the third. The Cardinals opened the frame on a 12-2 run and outscored UCA (15-4, 7-2 SLC) by 16 points in the period. Imani Robinson was the driving force behind UIW's run, pouring in 14 of her career-high 22 points in the third quarter and outscoring the entire Sugar Bears squad by six.
 
Things fell apart in the fourth as UCA outscored the Cardinals, 21-5, and pulled away in the closing minutes.
 
The contest was a back-and-forth affair at the outset, as the teams traded four lead changes over the opening six minutes. UIW held a 7-6 advantage midway through the first, but a 12-4 run gave the Sugar Bears an 18-11 lead after one.
 
UCA continued to pull away in the second, and with 3:50 remaining in the quarter, secured its largest lead of the night at 18 points.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals entered Saturday's matchup averaging more than eight made three-pointers a game, but were held to only three by the Sugar Bears.
 
UIW shot 35.3 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, while allowing 40.7 percent and 50.0 percent by UCA. The Cardinals were solid at the line, connecting on 84.6 percent (11-of-13) of their free throw attempts. The Sugar Bears shot 71.4 percent (15-of-21) at the charity stripe.
 
UCA won the battle of the boards, 41-26, and finished with an 11-9 advantage on second chance points. UIW picked up a 20-13 edge on points off turnovers, a 4-0 advantage on fast break points, a 22-16 edge on points in the paint and a 22-20 advantage on bench points.
 
LEADERS
 
In addition to her career-high 22 points, Robinson totaled 6 rebounds, three blocks, one steal and one assist. On an off shooting night, Celia Garcia Paunero narrowly missed her 13^th double-double of the year, registering nine points, eight boards, one block, one steal and one assist. Melina Merritt contributed seven points, three rebounds, two steals and a team-leading four assists in the loss.
 
Maggie Proffitt and Kierra Jordan each turned in 13-point outings for the Sugar Bears. Brianna Mullins grabbed 11 boards and dished out four assists, both team highs.
 
QUOTES
 
UCA RADIO BROADCASTER STEVE OWENS ON THE STATE OF UIW BASKETBALL
 
"UIW is without a doubt a program on the rise under new Head Coach Christy Smith."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals host rival Houston Baptist at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads to Louisiana for a battle with New Orleans at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.
 
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.