DALLAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team put together a strong first half against Southern Methodist University but fell to the Mustangs, 57-44, on Wednesday afternoon at Moody Coliseum.

"While we're obviously somewhat disappointed with the final result, it's tough to put into words how well we played in the first half," head coach Jeff Dow said. "To go into halftime with a five-point lead and hold them to seven points in the second quarter certainly spoke to how connected we were, especially on the defensive end."
 
Breelyn Sanborn led the team with 12 points, going 4-6 from the three. She's made 11 3-pointers through the last four games.  Nina De Leon Negron followed behind with 10 points and four assists.
 
UIW appeared to be the more aggressive team out of the gate, starting the game with a 3-2 lead and then battling the remainder of the first quarter to tie the game, 17-17, heading into the second.
 
The Cardinals opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run, holding the Mustangs scoreless through the first five minutes. Aliyah Collins capitalized on back-to-back turnovers from SMU, finishing a driving floater before Destiny Terrell muscled up a three-point play in the paint to hand UIW a 22-17 lead. SMU caught its stride and came within two (26-24), but the Cardinals kept pushing. As the shot clock winded down, the Mustangs switched the screen on the wing, leaving room for De Leon Negron to drain a step-back 3-pointer to end the half up, 29-24.
 
SMU took a 31-29 edge in the third then Sanborn drained a 3-pointer to fight for the lead (33-32). The Mustangs extended the score to 37-32 as the Cardinals started to get in foul trouble. SMU held the Cardinals to three points in the quarter to take a 12- point advantage (44-12).

"In the third quarter we obviously weren't making shots and that got compounded by the fact that we didn't have a single free throw attempt. And on the other end of the floor they started to heat up from the field plus they got 10 free throw attempts in that quarter alone."
 
In the fourth, the Cardinals chipped away but the Mustangs took the game, 57-44.

"We place an emphasis defensively on being disciplined and not fouling, and offensively we stress putting foul pressure on the opponent with the hopes of getting to the free throw line. Certainly some of this can be attributed to their length and overall size, but the disparity in free throw attempts of 21 to five was tough to overcome."
 
UIW will be back in action on Dec. 31 at Texas A&M – Commerce.
 
"We feel our non-conference schedule has certainly prepared us for what lies ahead. Playing three Power 5 schools plus a very talented and experienced team like SMU definitely gave us some confidence but also showed us where we need to improve. And obviously winning a game in come-from-behind fashion like we did against an athletic and physical opponent like UTSA was encouraging."

FOLLOW ALONG
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