SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team had no answers for New Orleans on Saturday, dropping a 72-45 decision at the McDermott Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Privateers scored first on consecutive back-door cuts, and took a 6-0 lead after a steal and fast-break layup.
 
Imani Robinson got the Cardinals on the board with a jumper and a layup on back-to-back possessions, but New Orleans quickly increased its lead to seven.
 
UIW responded with buckets from Liz Holter and Quincy Baker, but again the Privateers secured a seven-point advantage.
 
The Cardinals continued to battle, closing out the period with four straight points, but New Orleans held a 15-12 lead after one.
 
Things went terribly wrong for UIW in the second quarter. Seven turnovers, compounded by hot-shooting from the Privateers, gave New Orleans a 36-17 advantage, with 4:16 remaining in the frame.
 
The Cardinals closed out the half on a 7-2 run, but the Privateers maintained a 38-24 lead at the break.
 
The third quarter was more of the same as New Orleans doubled up UIW, 18-9. The Cardinals committed six additional turnovers in the period, while shooting just 23.1 percent from the floor, including 0-4 from beyond the arc. In stark contrast, the Privateers shot 50 percent from both the floor and three-point range.
 
UIW continued to battle in the fourth, but the damage had already been done.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot 30.8 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from long range on Saturday, compared to 45.5 percent and 20 percent by New Orleans.
 
The Privateers won the battle of the boards, 42-32, while dominating points in the paint, 42-20. New Orleans picked up a 22-6 edge on points off turnovers, a 19-7 advantage on second-chance points and a 10-2 edge on fast break points.
 
LEADERS
 
Baker paced UIW with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals and an assist. Robinson scored 11 points and added 3 boards. No other Cardinal reached double figures.
 
Randi Brown led the Privateers with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and a block.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW welcomes Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to San Antonio for a 1 p.m. bout on Saturday, Feb. 3.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals travel to Hammond for a 7 p.m. date with Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
 
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.