SAN ANTONIO, Texas – For a second-consecutive game, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team fell behind early and couldn't climb all the way back, dropping a 71-67 decision to New Orleans on Saturday afternoon at the McDermott Convocation Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (4-11, 2-2 SLC) trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, but fought back to pull within two in the final seconds. UIW's full-court press forced back-to-back turnovers by the Privateers (7-7, 2-2 SLC), but the Cardinals couldn't come up with a game-tying bucket on the offensive end.
 
UIW got off to a slow start, and with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter, trailed New Orleans, 13-3. The Privateers pushed their lead to 12, before an Imani Robinson triple brought the score to 17-8 after one.
 
The Cardinals shot just 20.0 percent (3-of-15) in the opening frame.
 
Both teams fought through and evenly-played second quarter, and New Orleans took a 31-22 advantage into the break.
 
UIW chipped away over the opening minutes of the third, cutting the Privateers lead to six. New Orleans responded with an 11-2 run, securing its largest lead of the day at 50-35.
 
The Cardinals trailed by 13 heading into the fourth, but outscored the Privateers, 26-17, in the final period. Despite the valiant effort, UIW couldn't undo its early damage and New Orleans held on for the victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN

The Cardinals shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent from three-point range, while allowing 48.2 percent and 47.6 percent respectively. UIW earned slight rebounding edge, 32-30, while picking up a 21-11 advantage on bench points. New Orleans finished with a 28-16 edge on points in the paint, spearheaded by Shania Woods. The Privateers also collected a 20-16 advantage on points off turnovers and a 6-2 edge on second-chance points.
 
LEADERS
 
Celia Garcia Paunero paced the Cardinals with her ninth double-double of the season, pouring in 23 points, to go along with 10 boards, two assists and a steal. Melina Merritt dished out a team-high four assists, while contributing six points and three rebounds. Robinson finished with 14 points, five boards, three assists, a block and a steal. Cheyenne Berry had another solid night, totaling 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Randi Brown and Woods combined for 51 points, 15 boards, four assists, three blocks and a steal for New Orleans. Ariele Davis tossed a team-high four assists in the win.
 
QUOTES

ASSISTANT COACH MARVIN WALKER ON THE SLOW START
 
"It definitely cost us. Even back when we were at Wichita State we lost a couple of games because we didn't play four quarters. It's part of the learning process. Hopefully we learn from it and can be better for it."
 
ASSISTANT COACH MARVIN WALKER ON THE FINAL SECONDS
 
"We had the ball in Cheyenne's hands, and 10 times out of 10 we love to have the ball in her hands late in a game. We played to the final buzzer. We're proud of the effort. We just have to execute a little bit better early in the game so we're not finding ourselves fighting from behind."
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW will head to Beaumont for a 7 p.m. date with Lamar on Thursday, Jan. 12.

STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals travel to Houston on Jan. 14 for a 1 p.m. matchup with Houston Baptist.
 
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.