HAMMOND, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team – aiming for its third consecutive win on the road – fell to Southeastern Louisiana, 58-44, on Saturday afternoon.
 
Heading into the match, the Cardinals (10-11, 6-6 SLC) and the Lady Lions (10-11, 7-5) were tied in Southland Conference standings with matching 6-5 SLC records.
 
UIW was first to get on the board off a free throw by Angelica Wiggins, but SLU answered, taking the lead. The teams went basket for basket, keeping it at a one-point game midway through the first quarter. The Cardinals made a comeback toward the back end of the quarter when Imani Robinson hit a 3-pointer, followed by a driving layup from Kara Speer; Robinson then put the finishing touch on as time expired to take the lead (15-13).
 
The Lady Lions wasted no time tying the game to start the second quarter, eventually shooting a three to take the advantage. The Cardinals, however, answered with Lunden Henry finding Speer under the basket. Shortly after, L. Henry put away two of her own, a jumper and a layup, after bringing down her own board. Southeastern Louisiana went on a 6-0 run to take back the lead (26-23) and held onto it going into the break.
 
UIW stepped on the court with some sense of urgency to start the second half, getting the ball out to Speer on the wing, who sank a three to knot the score. SLU responded with a 3-pointer of its own, giving them back the lead, which they would go on to hold for the remainder of the game.
 
The Cardinals cut into the Lady Lions' lead twice in the final period, first off Robinson's signature scoop layup, drawing the foul for the extra point, and again when she dished it off to Starr Omozee who put it away in the paint. Southeastern Louisiana took a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter and UIW was unable to catch up, eventually falling 58-44.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to San Antonio to host Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday as they begin the second leg of conference play.
 
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.