LAKE CHARLES, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team narrowly defeated McNeese, 72-71, in the final seconds of the game on Wednesday night at the H&HP Complex to sweep the series.
 
"I'm really proud of our team for the effort, poise and resilience they showed down the stretch to find a way to win the game," coach Jeff Dow said. "I think we know it wasn't our best effort defensively or on the boards, but we did enough, getting stops down the stretch."
 
"We had some big shots and some big free throws of course highlighted by the two final free throws that Lunden Henry had coming off of a big offensive rebound," Dow said. "Sometimes you have to get a little lucky, but we will take it hopefully learning something from this game. It's always better to learn from a one-point win than a one-point loss."
 
The Cardinals wasted no time after winning the tipoff, taking it down the court where Victoria Jackson scored and drew the foul on back-to-back possessions to start the game on a 6-0 run.
 
The second quarter proved to be a challenge, as a series of missed shots and physical plays allowed the Cowgirls to cut the lead to 23-21, eventually taking the lead midway through the second quarter. Imani Robinson's layup under the basket, followed by a pair of free throws, took back the lead for UIW. Destiny Jenkins closed out the half with a 3-pointer from the right wing, giving the Cardinals a 36-32 lead heading into the break.
 
Kara Speer and Macy Ray opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers, taking a 10-point lead to start the team's highest-scoring quarter. UIW kept McNeese at a distance with Robinson's four buckets in the paint, while Speer and Ray put away another pair of threes.
 
McNeese inched closer to UIW throughout the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 66-63 with a little more than five minutes remaining in the game, eventually going on an 8-2 run to take a 71-70 lead.
 
UIW was down 71-70 with 23 seconds on the clock, and Lunden Henry made a jumper in the paint, taking the lead once again. Moments after, the Cowgirls made a pair of free throws, and Robinson's layup bounced off the rim and Henry was under the basket to grab the offensive board, getting fouled as she jumped up for the layup, and went to the free-throw line. Henry made both shots to take a 72-71 lead, as McNeese failed to convert on their end of the court as time expired, sealing the win for UIW.
 
NOTABLES

• Four Cardinals scored in double figures; Imani Robinson (17), Lunden Henry (16), Macy Ray (11) and Kara Speer (10).
• Robinson was crucial on the glass, grabbing eight defensive rebounds.
• UIW is now 10-1 when leading at half.
• The Cardinals outscored the Cowgirls in the paint 34-28, while outscoring them in second chance points (10-8) and fast breaks (10-5).

 
UP NEXT
Cardinals return to the McDermott Center for a two-game homestand starting at 2 p.m. (CT) Saturday when they host SFA.

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