EL PASO, Texas – Sophomore Arielle Adams led the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team for the second consecutive game, this time scoring 16 points, but it was not enough as the Cardinals fell to UTEP, 67-63, following a dramatic fourth quarter push on Saturday afternoon at the Don Haskins Center.   

NOTABLES  

• Adams led the team with 16 points and six rebounds, while adding one steal.  
• Adams, Starr Omozee and Jaaucklyn Moore scored in double figures at 16, 15 and 11, respectively.   
• UIW outshot UTEP from 3-point range at 50 percent accuracy to UTEP's 23.5 percent.  

The Cardinals trailed early in the game as the Miners opened with a 9-0 run. Just like she did against TCU, Adams put away 11 points in the first half to help the red and black get within one point twice in the second quarter. The teams went into the break with UIW trailing 37-33.  

UIW came out of the locker room guns blazing as Moore drained a three to start the period and cut the UTEP lead to one (37-36). UTEP pulled, away going on a 12-2 run and responding to every UIW basket accordingly, jumping out to a 51-36 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.   

Omozee, who was crucial in the paint throughout the game with five made baskets, made a layup two minutes into the final quarter, drawing the foul and scoring the and-one to tie the game, 53-53. This gave the Cardinals the spark they were looking for. 

UIW claimed its first lead of the game shortly after off a pair of made free throws by Destiny Terrell. The Cardinals extended their lead by as much as five, shooting at 100 percent accuracy heading into the final media timeout.   

The Cardinals fought to keep the lead, but UTEP was able to tie the game twice in the remaining three minutes. The Miners went on to score the final basket with one-minute left, topping it off with two from the charity line as the Cardinals fell, 67-63.  

QUOTING COACH DOW 

"[We're] disappointed that we didn't come away with the win. After spotting them a 9-0 lead in the opening minutes I thought we were competitive and played well for the most part. We had a 5-point lead with around 6 minutes left and just didn't make enough plays down the stretch. Starr Omozee was aggressive driving it to the basket today which was good to see. Plus, she led our team with 3 assists and 5 steals. Arielle Adams gave us another huge lift off the bench leading us in scoring (16 points) and rebounding (six). Destiny Terrell was active and was effective defensively whether she was guarding their point guard, wings or posts." 

"As disappointed as we are with the result, we definitely saw some improvement from the TCU game. Missing 21 days of practice was a setback in preparing for these last two games but if we learn from these two losses, keep competing and continue to grow, we'll give ourselves a chance to be successful going forward." 

UP NEXT 
UIW hosts hometown rival UTSA on Thursday, Dec. 3, at the McDermott Center for its first home game of the season. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. (CT) with doors scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m. For the UIW home game policies, click here. 

STAY TUNED
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.

Follow the team on Twitter @UIWWBB and on Instagram @uiw_womenshoops.