SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team showed their fourth-best Southland Conference defense was strong enough to take down the fourth-ranked McNeese offense, 73-56, on Wednesday night at the McDermott Center.
 
Sophomore guard Macy Ray led the Cardinals on Wednesday night with her sharpshooting from 3-point range. Between Ray's two deep threes and senior forward Lunden Henry's inside scoring, the duo gave UIW the lead early in the first quarter. McNeese, however, reduced their deficit as time expired in the first quarter to 15-13.
 
The Cowgirls tied the game on the first possession of the second quarter, eventually taking the lead midway through. UIW would go on to take back the lead off a pair of made free-throws by Starr Omozee and hold on to it for the remainder of the game.
 
McNeese came onto the court in the third quarter and immediately began to chip away at UIW's lead, cutting it to 31-35 two minutes into the frame. Still, the Cardinals continued to score efficiently, starting with another three by Ray. The Red and Black extended its lead by 11 heading into the final period.

UIW kept McNeese at arms-length for the majority of the fourth quarter, only allowing them to come within nine points. Victoria Jackson had three steals on three consecutive possessions and scored off those turnovers to help extend the lead and seal the win for the Cardinals.
 
NOTABLES:

• Four Cardinals scored in double-digits; Macy Ray (16), Lunden Henry (13), Victoria Jackson (12) and Imani Robinson (10).
• Ray was accurate from beyond the arc recording a season-high four 3-pointers. The sophomore went 5-10 from the field while grabbing three boards, dishing off two assists and stealing the ball twice.
• UIW's 73 points were the most scored in a single game this season.
• Cardinals are now 6-2 this season when defending the Nest and 3-2 in league play.

 
UP NEXT
UIW is on the road on Saturday, Jan. 18, against SFA with tipoff set for 2 p.m. (CT), during a double-header in which the men's team will take on the Lumberjacks shortly after at 4:30 p.m.


STAY TUNED 
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