ABILENE, Texas – University of the Incarnate Word sophomore guard Imani Robinson put the Cardinals on her back on Saturday, scoring a game-high 23 points, including a game-tying jumper with just five seconds remaining, but an Abilene Christian layup with 0.5 left on the clock spoiled UIW's upset bid at Moody Coliseum.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
In a game that featured seven lead changes, seven ties and a pair of incredible defensive performances, it came down to three field goals in the final nine seconds to decide a winner.
 
The Cardinals (3-20, 2-10 SLC) came to life in the fourth quarter behind a Herculean performance by Robinson. In addition to improved offensive play, UIW held the Wildcats (15-8, 9-4 SLC) without a field goal for more than five minutes down the stretch, a drought that lasted from the 5:27 mark until the 0:09 mark of the final period.
 
With nine seconds remaining, ACU's Sarah Williamson ended that drought with a layup. Williamson was fouled on the play, and successfully completed her and-one opportunity.
 
After a timeout by the Cardinals, Robinson collected an inbounds pass from Melina Merritt, and knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 56, with five seconds left.
 
The Wildcats advanced the ball with a timeout of their own, and found Williamson again, who drove the lane and finished with a layup with less than a second remaining.
 
With no timeouts left, UIW was unable to advance the ball, and a desperation heave fell short as ACU escaped with the win.
 
The Cardinals scored first on Saturday, with a layup by Gabbi Bowie only 31 seconds into the game. After a Bowie steal, UIW took advantage of a pair of offensive rebounds, before Quincy Baker connected on a jumper.
 
The Wildcats got on the board with a layup, and found themselves in a position to tie or take the lead after a turnover by the Cardinals, but on the ensuing possession, ACU's shot was blocked by Baker, who set the UIW career blocks record in the process.
 
On the opposite end, Robinson took a pass from Haley Frias, and knocked down a three-pointer that put the Cardinals up, 7-2. After a defensive stop, Bowie hit Baker for a layup, giving UIW an early 9-2 lead.
 
The Wildcats found the net on their next trip down the floor, but a Robinson jumper and Merritt layup on back-to-back possessions gave the Cardinals a 13-4 advantage, with 2:41 remaining in the first.
 
ACU closed out the period on a 7-1 run, and after 10 minutes of action, UIW's lead had been trimmed to just two points, 14-12.
 
The Wildcats' run continued in the second quarter. Just 14 seconds into the frame, ACU connected on a pair of free throws, tying the game at 14 apiece.
 
Eighteen seconds later, Oliva Noah sank a pair of attempts at the charity stripe that put the Cardinals back in front by two.
 
At the 7:34 mark, a three-pointer gave the Wildcats their first lead of the afternoon, 17-16.
 
Just over two minutes later, Liz Holter knocked down a jumper to put UIW ahead by one.
 
After trading free throws, the Wildcats scored four consecutive points to secure a 23-19 advantage, but Bowie responded with a three-pointer.
 
Following an ACU layup, the Wildcats took a 25-22 lead into the locker room.
 
ACU opened the third quarter with another layup, and after a Baker free throw, grabbed a 29-23 advantage with a made bucket.
 
UIW punched back with a layup by Noah and three-pointer from Robinson, to make it a 29-28 ballgame.
 
After a pair of free throws by the Wildcats, Robinson was true from long range again, tying the game at 31.
 
Thirty-one seconds later, Robinson coolly sank a pair of attempts at the charity stripe, giving the Cardinals a 33-31 advantage.
 
A pair of ACU free throws tied the game at 33, before Bowie connected on a shot from beyond the arc. The Wildcats wasted no time responding with a three-ball of their own, tying the game at 36.
 
A Noah layup gave UIW a two-point lead, but ACU ended the period with a pair of three-pointers, securing a 42-38 advantage after 30 minutes of play.
 
The see-saw battle continued in the fourth. The Wildcats opened the frame with a pair of free throws, before Kara Speer hit a jumper. After an ACU three-pointer, Merritt found the net on the opposite end. The Wildcats added a layup, before Holter nailed a three.
 
ACU maintained a 51-45 lead after a layup, but went cold as Robinson ran off five straight points for the Cardinals.
 
With 2:48 remaining in the game, Baker picked up her fifth foul. Her absence would be noticeable on the final two scores by Williamson.
 
At the 2:20 mark, Merritt nailed a three-pointer, followed by a Robinson layup that gave UIW a 54-53 advantage.
 
Despite a valiant effort by UIW, Williamson's execution down the stretch allowed the Wildcats to escape with victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot 37.5 percent from the floor and 24.0 percent from three-point range, while holding ACU to 34.7 percent and 27.3 percent respectively. UIW will look back on missed opportunities at the charity stripe, where the Cardinals shot just 57.1 percent (8-of-14), compared to 90.0 percent (18-of-20) by the Wildcats.
 
UIW committed five fewer turnovers than ACU, while earning a 16-14 edge on points off turnovers. Each team pulled down 35 rebounds in the game, but the Cardinals dominated second-chance points, 22-5. UIW finished with more steals and assists than ACU.
 
The Wildcats picked up a 16-12 advantage on bench points, a 22-18 edge on points in the paint and a 7-4 edge on fast break points.
 
LEADERS
 
Robinson led the Cardinals with a game-high 23 points, 5 boards and an assist. Nine of her 23 points came in the fourth quarter. Merritt contributed 7 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebounds. Baker finished with 7 boards, 5 points, 3 steals and a block, while Bowie added 8 points in the loss. Noah totaled 6 points and 4 rebounds.
 
Dominique Golightly paced ACU with 18 points, 9 boards and 3 steals. Williamson finished with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal for the Wildcats.
 
NOTEABLES
 
Baker registered her 67^th career block on Saturday, setting the UIW career blocks record in the process. The previous record of 66 was held by Ify Mora, who played from 2010-14.
 
Saturday was ACU's annual cancer awareness pink-out game. Williamson, the daughter of a cancer survivor, had her mother in attendance as she made the game-winning shot.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals host a Valentine's Day date with Lamar on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW welcomes Stephen F. Austin for Military Appreciation Day matchup on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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.