HOUSTON, Texas – Sophomore Imani Robinson scored 11 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, but the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team was unable to dig itself out of an early hole, falling to Houston Baptist, 67-56.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Robinson got things started on Wednesday with a layup just nine seconds into the ballgame, but the Huskies (10-17, 6-11 SLC) immediately countered with a 10-1 run to secure a seven-point advantage midway through the first quarter.
 
The Cardinals (4-24, 3-14 SLC) responded with a run of their own, scoring six straight points to pull within one, but HBU surged again to secure a 17-12 lead after 10 minutes of action.
 
Two minutes into the second quarter, the Huskies led by eight, but UIW continued to scrap, and after an Oliva Noah three-pointer, trailed by just one with 3:21 remaining in the half.
 
For a second consecutive period, HBU picked up its intensity as time wound down, stepping on the accelerator for a 33-26 advantage at the break.
 
At the 8:25 mark of the third, the Huskies took their first double-digit lead at 11 points, and the Cardinals watched that advantage expand to 15 by the end of the frame.
 
UIW won the fourth quarter, led by Robinson's stellar performance down the stretch, but HBU held on for the victory.
 
THE BREAKDOWN
 
The Cardinals shot 32.3 percent from the floor and 19.0 percent from beyond the arc, compared to 37.0 percent and 33.3 percent by the Huskies. UIW connected on just 50.0 percent (10-of-20) of its opportunities at the charity stripe, in contrast to 80.0 percent by HBU.
 
The Huskies won the battle of the boards, 45-34, and picked up a 16-6 edge on second chance points. The Cardinals earned a 20-9 advantage on points off turnovers and a 22-17 edge on bench points.
 
LEADERS
 
Robinson paced UIW with 18 points, 3 rebounds and a steal. Noah contributed 9 points, 4 boards and 2 blocks, while Liz Holter added 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
 
Sydney Carr led HBU with 18 points, 7 boards, 2 assists and a block.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will close out the year with a Senior Day matchup against Abilene Christian at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
All-Southland Conference teams will be announced following the conclusion of the regular season.
 
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.