THIBODAUX, La. – Jaaucklyn Moore notched a career-high 35 points in an overtime thriller over Nicholls State University. Through 12 lead changes, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team defeated the Colonels 78-76 Thursday night.

"We are extremely proud of this team. To find a way to get a win on the road in overtime is special," head coach Jeff Dow said. "Especially being down two with 10 seconds left in regulation, and again with 20 seconds left in overtime. Obviously those were clutch free throws late by Jaaucklyn Moore both in regulation and again in overtime. And Brenna Perez came up with a huge offensive rebound and calmly sank two free throws to tie it up in overtime with only 20 seconds left."
 
The Cardinals and Colonels endured a three-minute scoring drought in the second quarter until UIW came out on top with a trey from Myra Bell to take a 20-18 advantage. Moore struck with a 3-point dagger and went on to finish the half with 19 points behind five 3-pointers to carry the Cardinals to a 35-31 lead heading into the third quarter.  

"Our depth has really been compromised of late with a series of injuries, and a few of them season-ending unfortunately. And it was really put to the test in the first half," Dow said. "To have to overcome foul trouble in the first half with four different players isn't ideal, but we still found a way to go into halftime with the lead."
 
Nicholls started out the third on a 6-0 run, but UIW tied the game back up with just over a minute left in the quarter. Brenna Perez nailed a long two as the shot clock expired to give the Cardinals a 47-45 edge heading into the final frame.
 
Starr Omozee finished a three-point play on the block as the Cardinals held on to a one-point lead (55-54) with five minutes left in the game. Nicholls knotted the score, 62-62, with 55 seconds remaining before taking the lead. Moore stepped to the free throw line with 10 seconds on the clock and nailed both to send the game into overtime.

"Myra Bell came up huge for us tonight, playing 36 minutes off the bench and contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two big free throws with a little over a minute left in overtime," Dow said. "Hanna Wheeler was kind of an unsung hero for us tonight. She hit a big three to give us the lead in overtime and only turned it over once in 41 minutes as our point guard."
 
The Colonels tied the game up, 74-74 with 19 seconds remaining, but Moore sunk three free throws to give UIW a 76-74 edge and ultimately won the game, 78-76.

"And of course that was a great overall performance by Jaaucklyn Moore," Dow said. "To play the entire 45 minutes in that competitive of a game is special in its own right. But to notch a career-high 35 points, go 7-8 from the free throw line, contribute five assists and three steals, plus only turn it over once, truly shows how complete of a game she played tonight."
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals travel to the University of New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 12, for a 2 p.m. tipoff. 
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
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