LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team matched up against future Western Athletic Conference foe, New Mexico State University on Saturday night. The Cardinals battled through nine lead changes as the Aggies took a 10-point lead in the fourth to win the game 57-48.
 
"Defensively I thought we were really solid for forty minutes in limiting them to 36 percent from the field and only twelve free throw attempts. We were outstanding in the first half allowing only three offensive rebounds," head coach Jeff Dow said. "Unfortunately, we gave up thirteen in the second half. We got great effort from our starting guards in Jaaucklyn Moore pulling down 11 rebounds and Destiny Jenkins, 7, which I assume are career highs for both and I'm guessing that was Jaaucklyn's first double-double at UIW so that's great to see."
 
Moore led the Cardinals with her first UIW career double-double, securing 14 points and 11 rebounds. Omozee finished with 11 points while Gardner and Terrell added eight points each. Jenkins recorded a career-high seven rebounds.
 
Starr Omozee slashed across the lane in the opening possession to put the Cardinals on the board first with a quick layup. Moore left open at the top of the key, knocked down a three. Omozee with great position for an offensive board, struck again and grabbed the rebound for a UIW putback. Tiana Gardner came off the bench and leaked out for a transition bucket. The Cardinals ended the first quarter up 9-6.
 
Destiny Terrell, a five-foot nine guard, took her defender inside the paint and finished a hook shot. Gardner grabbed another fast break layup and Jenkins put together five points in two possessions off a 3-pointer and layup. The Aggies began to put pressure on the Cardinals, forcing a turnover that led to a New Mexico State layup to tie the game up 18-18. The Aggies knocked down a pair of free throws. Moore answered just as the clock ran out with a jumper in the paint to head into halftime 22-22.
 
Omozee started off the quarter with a Cardinal bucket and the Aggies sunk a three to take a one-point lead. Terrell drove middle and kicked it to Moore on the wing as she drained a three to tie the game up 27-27. The Aggies went on a four-point run, finishing the quarter 41-34.
 
"They ended the third quarter with a 4-0 run which pushed their lead to seven. A major reason for that was the rebounding and second chance points differential. NMSU was 13 plus in rebounding in the third quarter alone and outscored us 9-1 in second chance points," Dow said.
 
Cardinals came out strong in the fourth, embarking on a 9-0 run behind Means, Moore and Terrell to tie the game once more at 43-43. The Aggies went on a run of their own to take the largest lead of the game and ultimately win 57-48.
 
"I loved the resolve that we showed to battle back and tie it less than four minutes into the fourth quarter but then the 6-0 run for NMSU over a two-minute span late in the game more or less sealed our fate," Dow said.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals host Texas Lutheran University for the 2021-22 season home opener on Wednesday, November 17 at 6 p.m.
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
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