LAKE CHARLES, La. – In its first game back since January, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team shook off the first quarter rust to defeat McNeese, 66-47, on Monday night inside Burton Center. 
 
Freshman Jaaucklyn Moore led the squad for the fourth time this season, in her fourth double-figure showing with a career-high, 17 points, going 9-of-11 from the charity line and shooting 4-for-9 from the field. Senior Kara Speer led the Cardinals on the boards bringing down 12 to match a career high. Starr Omozee recorded her first double double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

"We're extremely proud of our team for coming out with a road win tonight after everything we've endured for the past few months," said head coach Jeff Dow. "We're always trying to stress that if you defend, rebound and take care of the ball you'll give yourself a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Tonight was a great example of that."
 
In their first game back since Jan. 16, the Cardinals were off to a rough start in the first quarter. The Cowgirls quickly jumped ahead starting the game on an 11-2 run. UIW shot 30% in the first quarter to McNeese's 43.8% to trail by ten at the end of the first, 19-9. 
 
A black and red 16-1 run in the second quarter shook the rust off to get ahead heading into the break, 30-24. UIW's man-to-man defense held McNeese to just five points in the second quarter, conceding zero points from the field and forcing the Cowgirls to work for those points from the free throw line.  
 
UIW's drive carried into the third quarter as it quickly got ahead 38-28. The Cardinals forced the Cowgirls to single-digit scoring in the third quarter, while seven from UIW contributed to the score in the period.  
 
McNeese inched closer to UIW throughout the fourth quarter, getting as close as 52-47 with just under three minutes remaining on the clock. McNeese ultimately fell in the waning seconds with just four on the court due to a limited bench and four players fouling out of the game, to allow UIW to claim a 66-47 victory. 
 
QUOTING COACH DOW

"Very appreciative just to be able to go out and play. We got off to a very slow start in the first quarter which probably isn't altogether surprising given how little we've practiced of late, and only getting one game in during the month of January. We held McNeese to 47 points and 23% from the field. We outrebounded them by 15 and limited them to four offensive rebounds, and we met our goal of not exceeding 15 turnovers."

"After playing really well in the second and third quarters we started to wobble a bit in the fourth quarter and suddenly our lead was cut to five. But we responded with a 14-0 run to close out the game and had a variety of people chip in during the process."

"Individually a lot of contributions across the board. Starr Omozee coming away with a double-double in only 19 minutes of playing time. Kara Speer pulling down 12 rebounds. Destiny Terrell with five offensive rebounds, eight total, and playing with her usual tenacity. Jaaucklyn Moore scoring 17 points on only nine field goal attempts. Destiny Jenkins with three assists, three steals and zero turnovers. And Tiana Gardner gave us a huge lift in the first half when Starr was in foul trouble and chipped in with seven points and four offensive rebounds."

  

UP NEXT 
UIW remains in Louisiana for its matchup against Northwestern State on Wednesday night at Prather Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT against the Lady Demons
 
STAY TUNED
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