Box Score LAKE CHARLES, La. – Battling through a number of injuries, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team fell behind in the first quarter on Saturday and never recovered as McNeese held on for a 78-61 victory at Burton Coliseum.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (6-18, 4-9 SLC) jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead in the opening minutes, but the Cowgirls (11-12, 6-6 SLC) responded with a stunning 16-1 run. UIW punched back with seven consecutive points, but McNeese secured a 25-15 advantage after one.
 
The Cardinals shot poorly in the second quarter, connecting on just 27.3 percent of their attempts from the floor. The Cowgirls took advantage, padding their advantage and maintaining a 36-25 lead at the break.
 
UIW pulled within single-digits multiple times in the second half, but McNeese continued to answer and pulled away in the fourth for a 17-point victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot 34.9 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from three-point range, while going uncharacteristically cold at the free throw line. UIW shot just 60.0 percent (12-of-20) at the charity stripe. In comparison, the Cowgirls shot 41.7 percent from the floor, 28.6 percent from deep and made 70.6 percent of their free throw attempts.
 
McNeese won the battle of the boards, 48-39, and earned a 34-28 edge on points in the paint. The Cowgirls grabbed a 16-4 advantage on second chance points and a dominant 26-1 edge on bench points. UIW picked up a 17-9 advantage on points off turnovers.
 
LEADERS
 
Haley Frias paced the Cardinals with 19 points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal. Celia Garcia Paunero registered her 14^th double-double of the season, with 13 points and 13 boards, to go along with four blocks, an assist and a steal. Imani Robinson narrowly missed a double-double of her own, scoring 14 points, with eight rebounds and four blocks. Melina Merritt filled the stat sheet with six assists, six points and four boards.
 
Victoria Rachal led the McNeese offense with 17 points and six assists, while Frederica Haywood pulled down a game-high 19 rebounds.
 
NOTABLES
 
UIW was without the services of its floor general, Cheyenne Berry, for a second-consecutive game. Only seven Cardinals saw the floor on Saturday, compared to 11 Cowgirls.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to the McDermott Convocation Center at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host Sam Houston at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18.
 
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.