SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Fourteen missed free throws spoiled the Southland Conference opener for the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team on Thursday night as UIW suffered a 66-57 loss to McNeese at the McDermott Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (1-11, 0-1 SLC) came out aggressive, taking a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes. The Cowgirls (5-7, 1-0 SLC) wasted no time with a response, scoring 11 straight points to steal a 13-9 advantage.
 
A pair of UIW jumpers tied things up at 13 apiece with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter, but McNeese scored nine consecutive points to go ahead, 22-13. Imani Robinson and Gabbi Bowie closed out the frame with a layup and a jumper, but the Cowgirls maintained a five-point advantage after 10 minutes of action.
 
After trading baskets to start the second quarter, Melina Merritt and Kara Speer hit back-to-back three-pointers that gave the Cardinals a brief lead, but McNeese answered with a three of its own on the opposite end.
 
Both teams traded punches over the final five minutes of the period, and the Cowgirls took a 37-33 advantage into the locker room.
 
McNeese scored the first five points out of the break, but UIW countered with four of its own. After an Alexandra Busby-Leija free throw, the Cardinals trailed by four points with 4:16 remaining, but the Cowgirls closed out the frame on a 7-0 run to secure an 11-point lead.
 
UIW answered the bell in the fourth quarter with nine straight points, and after a layup by Robinson, trailed by just two with 5:50 remaining in the contest. McNeese countered again with and 11-2 run.
 
After Haley Frias connected on a shot from beyond the arc and Busby-Leija found the bottom of the net on a layup, the Cardinals pulled within six, but 12 missed free throws in the second half cost UIW a chance to gut out a victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot 42 percent from the floor and 21.7 percent from three-point range, while holding the Cowgirls to 36.4 percent and 23.5 percent respectively. The game was won and lost at the charity stripe, where UIW shot 41.7 percent (10-of-24), compared to 82.4 percent (14-of-17) by McNeese.
 
The Cowgirls picked up a 17-9 edge on second chance points, a 21-13 advantage on points off turnovers and a 32-22 edge on points in the paint, while winning the battle of the boards, 45-34.
 
The Cardinals earned a 17-11 advantage on bench points and registered 11 blocks, while the visiting team went away with none.
 
LEADERS
 
Robinson paced UIW with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks and 4 steals. Quincy Baker had team-highs in boards (7) and blocks (5), while adding 5 points and 2 steals. Merritt finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.
 
Caitlin Davis led McNeese with 18 points, 3 boards and 3 assists.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will welcome Nicholls to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. date this Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW travels to Huntsville on Saturday, Jan. 6 for a 3 p.m. matchup with Sam Houston.
 
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.