SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team picked up its first ever program victory over Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon, capturing a dominant 82-55 win in front of a raucous crowd at The Convo.
 
HOW IT WAS WON
 
The Cardinals (8-18, 6-9 SLC) were impressive from the outset, securing a 13-2 advantage at the 6:14 mark of the first quarter. UIW hit six three-pointers in the opening period, including a Haley Frias deep ball with 16 seconds remaining that gave the Cardinals a 22-10 advantage after one.
 
The Bearkats (2-22, 2-12 SLC) answered in the second, cutting the UIW lead to seven points at the 6:28 mark, but the Cardinals punched back in a big way. UIW closed the quarter on a 15-4 run, including a dagger three-pointer by Cheyenne Berry in front of the Sam Houston bench as time expired on the half.
 
The teams battled through an evenly-matched third quarter, but the Cardinals pressed the accelerator in the fourth, leading by as many as 29 points en route to their third-consecutive victory over a Texas opponent.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
UIW shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, while holding the Bearkats to just 29.6 percent and 15.8 percent respectively. The Cardinals won the battle of the boards, 53-28, and capitalized with a 17-11 edge on second chance points. UIW earned an impressive 18-2 advantage on fast break points, a 23-11 edge on bench points and dished out 21 assists, compared to just 11 by Sam Houston.
 
LEADERS
 
Celia Garcia Paunero posted her 16^th double-double of the season, with 20 points and 20 rebounds, to go along with four blocks, two steals and two assists. Imani Robinson continued her Freshman of the Year campaign with 19 points, six boards, one assist and one steal. Berry finished with 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Frias turned in an all-around effort with 12 points, four assists and three boards. Melina Merritt contributed six assists, five rebounds and four points, while Alexandra Busby-Leija chipped in seven points and two boards. Tanjunique Ajeto tallied five rebounds, four points, two assists, one block and one steal, while Charmaine McBride pulled down four boards and registered a block in the win.
 
Angela Delaney (12 points), Lydia Baxter (nine rebounds) and Morghen Day (two assists) paced the Bearkats.
 
NOTABLES
 
With Saturday's outstanding performance, Garcia Paunero is now guaranteed to be the first Cardinal in 26 years to average a double-double for a season. The last UIW player to achieve the feat was Stephanie Wiatrek, who averaged 14.6 points and 11.0 rebounds over the 1990-91 campaign.
 
The Cardinals have now won more Southland Conference games this season than the previous two combined.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Nicholls to San Antonio for a Senior Day battle at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals travel to Abilene Christian on March 1 for a 5:30 p.m. rivalry matchup.
 
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