HOUSTON, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word Women's Basketball team held their own with Rice over the final three quarters on Saturday, but a slow start proved to be their downfall, as the home team sailed to a 60-43 victory at Tudor Fieldhouse.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (1-8) went nearly seven minutes before scoring their first point against the Owls (6-2), and after one quarter Rice held a sizable 16-5 lead.
 
The Owls opened the second with a three-pointer to take a 14-point advantage, before Sydnee Wynn responded with back-to-back layups. UIW matched Rice blow-for-blow over the remainder of the period, but the Owls carried a 30-18 lead at the break.
 
The third quarter was more of the same. The Cardinals traded punches with Rice, but the Owls increased their advantage incrementally to go up, 48-32, after 30 minutes of action.
 
UIW came out aggressive in the final frame, scoring the first six points to cut the deficit to 10, but after a timeout, Rice regrouped and countered with an 11-2 run to shut the door.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot just 26.4 percent from the floor and 10 percent from beyond the arc, while surrendering 42.6 percent and 28.6 percent to the Owls. Kara Speer went 2-for-6 from long range for UIW, while the rest of the Cardinals combined to go 0-14.
 
Rice won the battle of the boards, 42-30, and picked up a 16-7 edge on second chance points. The Owls also dominated points in the paint, 28-18.
 
UIW earned an 8-2 advantage on fast break points, and committed 7 fewer turnovers than Rice.
 
LEADERS
 
Wynn narrowly missed her second-consecutive double-double, finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Charmaine McBride poured in 10 points and 6 boards off the bench, while Imani Robinson contributed 7 points, 4 rebounds and a team-high 2 assists.
 
Erika Ogwumike led Rice with 18 points, 7 boards and 2 assists.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals make a return trip to H-Town on Monday, Dec. 18, to face Houston at 11 a.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads north on Thursday, Dec. 21, for a 2 p.m. date with Texas Tech.
 
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