NEW ORLEANS, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team put together a 16-point rally to tie New Orleans with 19 seconds remaining on Saturday, but a last-second jumper by Randi Brown lifted the Privateers over the Cardinals, 52-50, at Lakefront Arena.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (3-15, 2-5 SLC) continued its bi-weekly tradition of spotting opponents an early advantage, allowing New Orleans (9-10, 5-3 SLC) to take an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. It wasn't until the 2:50 mark of the period that the Cardinals got on the board, when Gabbi Bowie knocked down a three-pointer off of a feed from Liz Holter.
 
Sydnee Wynn and Quincy Baker got in on the act with a tip-in and a layup, but the Privateers maintained a 12-7 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
 
New Orleans exploded in the second, opening the frame on a 14-3 run that gave the home team its largest lead of the night, 26-10.
 
Just when it looked like the game was getting out of reach, UIW rallied with a 9-3 run to close out the half, and the Privateers took a 29-19 advantage into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals shifted gears in the third quarter. UIW was perfect from both the free throw line and three-point range in the period, outscoring New Orleans, 16-10. It was the first time in seven games that the Privateers were outscored in the third.
 
Just 18 seconds into the final frame, a Wynn layup cut the lead to two, but New Orleans countered with six consecutive points to gain a 45-37 advantage over the Cardinals.
 
Imani Robinson upped her aggressiveness down the stretch, drawing back-to-back fouls and knocking down four straight free throws. With 2:27 left in the game, she made her first shot from the field, connecting on a jumper that made it a two-point game, 45-43.
 
After a Privateer free throw, Melina Merritt made a layup off of a feed from Wynn, but the Privateers sank four consecutive free throws to go ahead, 50-45, with 59 seconds remaining.
 
Robinson earned her way back to the charity stripe, and calmly drilled two more free throws, before drawing another foul following a defensive stop. After making nine straight free throws, she missed both opportunities with 25 seconds left, but secured an offensive rebound and found Holter six seconds later for a game-tying three.
 
Following a timeout, New Orleans handed the ball to Brown, who dribbled the clock down and connected on a heavily-contested off-balance jumper at the top of the key with 3.8 seconds remaining.
 
UIW used a timeout to advance the ball, but a layup by Baker was partially blocked, and despite being bodied by multiple Privateer defenders, no foul was called. After review, officials put 0.3 seconds back on the clock, but the Cardinals' desperation tip-play off the inbounds pass came up short.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
UIW shot 32 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc, while converting on 65 percent of its attempts at the charity stripe. New Orleans shot 36.4 percent from the field, missed all 11 three-point tries and made 70.6 percent of its free throws.

The Cardinals dominated the battle of the boards, 44-30, while earning a slight edge on second chance points, 13-9. UIW also recorded a 22-6 advantage on bench points.
 
The Privateers picked up a 26-20 edge on points in the paint, and forced 27 UIW turnovers, which were converted into a 16-8 advantage on points off turnovers for New Orleans.
 
LEADERS
 
Wynn finished with 16 rebounds, 10 points, 3 blocks and an assist to lead the Cardinals with her fourth double-double performance of the season. Robinson scored 11 points and grabbed 6 boards, while registering an assist and a steal. Holter added 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block and a team-high 3 assists.
 
Brown paced the Privateers with 19 points, 2 boards, 2 assists and a steal.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Houston Baptist to San Antonio for a 6 p.m. matchup on Wednesday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals host New Orleans at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27. The matchup will serve as UIW's annual Cancer Awareness Game, where the team supports Play 4 Kay, an organization that benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $5.
 
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.