THIBODAUX, La. -- The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team played a tightly contested game against Nicholls, but the Colonels pulled away in the fourth quarter, downing UIW 86-62 Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
 
NOTABLES

• Junior guard Imani Robinson led the Cardinals with 16 points, her fourth consecutive game with 10+ points. She's averaging 15.5 points per game in that stretch.
• Sophomore guard Kara Speer hit a season-high 9 points while matching her season high with four rebounds off the bench.
• Junior forward Alexis Henry also came off the bench to set season highs in points (six) and rebounds (eight) in 12 minutes of play.
• The Cardinals out rebounded Nicholls on the offensive glass, 16-13, due in large part to four offensive rebounds from Henry.
• This is the seventh time this year UIW secured more offensive rebounds than its opponent and the third consecutive game of doing so.
• Robinson led the team with three steals, her third consecutive game with multiple steals.
• Freshman forward Starr Omozee paced the team with three assists to go along with eight points, five rebounds and two steals. She is averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals and one block through two conference games.
• The Cardinals scored a season high 35 bench points in the loss. The most bench scoring in a single game in the Christy Smith era and the most since Dec. 14, 2015 (38 bench points against Texas Tech).

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
QTR 1 (10-17): Defense took center stage to start the game, as neither team managed a field goal through the opening four minutes. Omozee provided a spark off the bench, collecting two rebounds, an assist and a bucket to propel the Cardinals on a 7-1 run. Nicholls bounced back, closing the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead by seven (10-17) after ten minutes. Robinson and senior guard Gabbi Bowie led the team with three points each.

QTR 2 (27-33): The pace quickened and tensions rose in the second quarter as both teams looked to dictate play. It was a back and forth affair with Nicholls never leading by more than eight or less than four throughout. Robinson was masterful in the frame, delivering seven points on 2-3 shooting while also recording a steal and an assist. She finished the first half with ten points, securing her fourth consecutive double-digit point performance. Alexis Henry played some of her best ball of the year in the second stint as well, rising to the physicality of the game and fighting her way to four rebounds and three points in 5:25 of time on the court.

QTR 3 (45-55): Nicholls upped the pace in the third quarter, using aggressive defense to go on a 12-2 run. But before the game could slip out of reach, Noah turned it on, scoring seven straight Cardinal points over a two minute stretch to pull UIW within 10.

QTR 4 (62-86): The Colonels jumped out on a 9-0 run to begin the quarter, putting a strangle hold on the game. Foul trouble put Nicholls in the bonus with 5:53 remaining, and the Colonels polished off their second win of conference play. Junior guard Victoria Jackson hit three free-throws in the quarter.

HEAR FROM COACH SMITH
"We need to become more consistent throughout the game and reduce the number of lows we have. We struggled defensively, defending their posts and keeping the ball out of the paint. But, Nicholls is a strong team, we will learn from this and keep moving."

UP NEXT
The Cardinals will have a full week between games, playing in their conference home opener against Sam Houston State, next Saturday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m. CT in the McDermott Center. 

FOLLOW ALONG
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