NEW ORLEANS – Despite holding the lead for the majority of the game, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team fell to New Orleans on Saturday, 61-57.
 
The Privateers scored the first set of points in the game off a 3-pointer, which the Cardinals responded to with a three of their own from Kara Speer on the left wing. Macy Ray added a pair of 3-pointers and Angelica Wiggins made a pair of free throws to take a 13-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Imani Robinson went straight to the basket to start the second period, making the layup and drawing the foul. Speer made her second three of the game from the same spot, giving UIW a 22-15 advantage. Victoria Jackson stole the ball on the backcourt and dribbled down for a layup, drawing a foul and sinking her fifth free throws of the game to close out the half.
 
The Privateers were at the Cardinals' heels the entire third quarter, eventually tying the game 40-40. As time was expiring, Speer made a 3-pointer from the top of the key to head into the final quarter with a narrow 43-40 lead.
 
Moments into the fourth quarter, UNO tied the game on a three from the top of the key. Once again, the Cardinals responded promptly when Ray made her fourth three of the game. From there, the game was tied three times before the Privateers went on a 9-0 run to take a seven-point lead with less than three minutes left in the game.
 
A jumper by Speer and a pair of free throws by Robinson cut the lead to 57-54. Shortly after, Victoria Jackson went to the free-throw line to make it a one possession game. Eventually the Privateers would seal the game with free-throws of their own.
NOTABLES

• Three Cardinals scored in double figures; Macy Ray (14) Kara Speer (12) and Lunden Henry (10).
• Macy Ray led the team with 14 points, scoring four 3-pointer for the third time this season. The sophomore went 2-2 from the free-throw line while also stealing the ball three times to tie a season high.
• Victoria Jackson was at the free-throw line shooting a career-high 10 while making a career-high six.
• UIW outscored New Orleans from three-point range with seven made threes to their two, shooting at a rate of 31.8 percent. 

 
UP NEXT
Cardinals return to Louisiana to take on McNeese in Lake Charles at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19.
 
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.

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