BEAUMONT, Texas – For a second straight ballgame, turnovers were the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team's undoing, as Lamar extended its home winning streak to 29 games with a 77-54 victory over the visiting Cardinals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (3-14, 2-4 SLC) scored first on Thursday night, but seven turnovers in the first five minutes allowed Lamar (9-6, 4-1 SLC) to secure an early 10-4 lead.
 
UIW buckled down, committing only two turnovers over the remainder of the quarter, and despite being outshot, 15-6, cut the lead to two points after 10 minutes of play.
 
The Broadway Birds came out strong in the second, and after a Kara Speer three-pointer, UIW grabbed a 17-16 advantage.
 
Lamar quickly responded with four consecutive points, before a Gabbi Bowie three-ball tied things up at 20 apiece.
 
After eight straight from Lamar, Haley Frias knocked down a shot from long range, but the home team punched back with a three-pointer of its own.
 
UIW continued to scrap, putting together a reciprocal eight-point run. Imani Robinson nailed a jumper at the top of the key, before Speer and Holter drilled back-to-back shots from beyond the arc.
 
As the final seconds of the half wound down, Robinson was fouled on a desperation three, and after sinking 2-of-3 free throws, Lamar held a 37-35 lead at the break.
 
UIW shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from long range in the first half, while holding Lamar to 42.9 percent and 27.3 percent respectively. Lamar was able to maintain its advantage due in part to a 12-3 edge on offensive rebounds. More importantly, the national leader in steals per game forced 17 UIW turnovers, including 13 steals, and converted those giveaways into 17 first-half points.
 
Quincy Baker jump-started the third quarter with a hook shot off the glass, but eight more UIW turnovers in the period, including six Lamar steals, led to the home team's first double-digit advantage.
 
After a Robinson jumper in the final seconds of the third, UIW cut the lead to single digits, 56-47.
 
Lamar shut the door in the final frame, scoring the first eight points of the fourth to secure a 17-point advantage.
 
With 6:52 remaining, Alexandra Busby-Leija interrupted the run with a three-pointer, but Lamar's momentum would not be stopped.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
UIW shot 41 percent from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc in the loss, while holding Lamar to 37.7 percent and 22.7 percent respectively.
 
Lamar won the battle of the boards, 44-36, and gained a dominant 42-18 advantage on points in the paint. The home Cardinals also picked up a 17-9 edge on second chance points.
 
Lamar gained a 16-0 advantage on fast break points and forced 35 UIW turnovers, which were converted into a 34-14 edge on points off turnovers.
 
Every UIW player committed a turnover on Thursday, and all but one player gave the ball away multiple times.
 
LEADERS
 
Robinson paced UIW with 16 points, 4 rebounds and a block. Baker turned in a 9-point, 7-board performance, while adding a pair of blocks and a steal. Haley Frias and Speer each contributed 6 points, while combining for 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Wynn finished with a 7-board, 5-point night.
 
Lamar was led by Moe Kinard, who scored a game-high 23 points.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW heads to The Big Easy for a date with New Orleans at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW hosts Houston Baptist for a 6 p.m. matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 24 in San Antonio.
 
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.