LAKE CHARLES – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team fell to the Cowgirls of McNeese State University, 73-65, on Saturday afternoon at the Legacy Center.
 
UIW had nine student-athletes score against McNeese. Jaaucklyn Moore, Tiana Gardner and Myra Bell all scored 12 points for the Cardinals. Destiny Terrell added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Cardinals set up in a full-court press against the Cowgirls as the two teams finished a fast-paced first quarter knotted at 14-14. McNeese took an eight-point lead midway through the second quarter, but Gardner and Bell sparked UIW's offense with eight combined points to end the first half trailing by five, 36-31.
 
Moore started off the second half with a quick five points, knocking down a trey from the wing and finishing a layup next time down. Terrel grabbed a defensive board, then went coast-to-coast to put the Cardinals ahead, 40-39. Destiny Jenkins came off the bench and drained a big 3-pointer to give UIW a four-point cushion (43-39). The Cowgirls answered with a 10-point run that was stopped by a trey from Hanna Wheeler as UIW trimmed the lead to 49-46. McNeese continued its momentum to end the third quarter with a 54-47 edge.
 
The Cardinals pulled within six points (60-54) in the fourth quarter, but the Cowgirls ultimately won the game, 73-65.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. CT for the final regular season game before the Southland Conference Tournament on March 10-13. The home finale will also be Senior Day for UIW.
 
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.