SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team defeated top-ranked Southland Conference foe SFA 60-52 on Saturday afternoon for the Cardinals' first win against the Ladyjacks in program history.

"This is truly a milestone win for our program," head coach Jeff Dow said. "The SFA Ladyjacks basketball team has set the standard for women's basketball in the Southland Conference for over 30 years. I am so proud of our team for once again rising up to the challenge of knocking off a first-place team."

The Ladyjacks opened the game on a 9-4 run, but Imani Robinson made a pair of free throws and Lunden Henry hit a layup on a fast break to bring the Cardinals to within one. UIW ended the quarter on an 8-3 run, highlighted by a steal in the backcourt by Starr Omozee, who went coast-to-coast for the layup to bring the Cardinals even with the Ladyjacks, 12-12.
 
It was a physical second quarter as both teams went scoreless for the first five minutes of the period. Just before the media timeout, Macy Ray pump faked, then dribbled into the paint for a layup that rolled off the rim and into Omozee's hands, who tipped the ball in to end the scoring drought and give UIW its first lead. SFA went on an 11-5 run to take a 23-19 lead, but Kara Speer made a three to bring UIW within one just before halftime.
 
Three minutes into the third quarter, UIW was down 27-26, but quickly turned the score in its favor, making four 3-pointers on successive possessions to regain the lead. The Cardinals held the Ladyjacks to nine points in the third quarter and won the turnover battle during the period, surrendering possession two times to SFA's six. UIW ended the quarter on a 15-5 run to take a 41-32 lead going into the fourth quarter.
 
With less than a minute remaining, SFA made it a one-possession game at 53-50. UIW was quick to respond as Lunden Henry hit a layup and knocked down a free throw after getting fouled a few seconds later to extend UIW's lead to 56-50. The Cardinals made it back to the line two more times as Speer and Robinson both made a pair of free throws to upset the Ladyjacks, 60-52.
 
NOTABLES:

• The win marks UIW's first victory against SFA after going 0-8 in their first eight matchups.
• Three Cardinals scored in double-figures, led by Imani Robinson's 20 points. This was the 16th time Robinson scored in double-digits and sixth with 20 or more. She also dished out six assists and pulled down six boards with a season-high four steals. The senior went 5-15 from the field, while shooting a perfect 3-3 from 3-point range.
• Kara Speer and Lunden Henry each added 10 points, with Speer recording a team-high eight rebounds.
• UIW outrebounded SFA, 40-37.
• Omozee's four baskets in the paint matched a season high.
• Despite a limited presence in the box score, Victoria Jackson had a team-high +19 in the plus/minus category.
• UIW shot 54 percent from beyond the arc, while holding SFA to 20 percent from three.

QUOTING COACH DOW
"I thought it was huge that we went into the locker room down only one point at halftime. We were struggling on offense, but our defense and rebounding was outstanding and that kept us in the game. The 12-0 run in the third quarter was huge in giving us a lead that we would never give up. After getting out rebounded by 17 in the first game against SFA earlier this season, we felt like it was critical that we were at least competitive on the boards today. For us to end up plus three on the boards and plus four in second chance points gave us a bit of an unexpected victory in those areas."
 
"Imani was incredible today. When we are at our best it usually involves Imani doing so much more than scoring and today was indicative of with her six assists, six rebounds and four steals. I also felt like our guards did an outstanding job for 40 minutes against their full court pressure in limiting our turnovers."

UP NEXT
UIW hosts Lamar at 6:30 p.m. (CT) Wednesday at the McDermott Center.

STAY TUNED 
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