SAN ANTONIO – Through seven lead changes and eight ties on the day, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team outlasted Nicholls State University, 70-62, on Saturday evening at the McDermott Center. This win marked over 300 career wins for head coach
Jeff Dow.
The Cardinals were fueled by a career-high 25 points from
Destiny Terrell, to go along with her 10 rebounds for her first double-double this season, and 23 points from
Nina De Leon Negron.
The first half saw six lead changes in an all-out battle between the Cardinals and the Colonels. Two free throws from De Leon Negron towards the end of the first quarter put UIW up two (15-13). Nicholls immediately pushed the ball up for a fastbreak layup to tie the game back up before ending the quarter with an 18-17 advantage.
A layup from
Brenna Perez with two minutes to go in the first half pushed UIW within one of Nicholls (28-27). Lexi Alexander then scored on back-to-back possessions for the Colonels, handing Nicholls a 32-29 lead at the half.
At the seven-minute mark of the third quarter, a jumper from Perez tied the game, 35-35. Nicholls drained a 3-pointer, but Terrell finished through contact for the 3-point play to tie the game once more (38-38). The Cardinals forced the Colonels into a shot clock violation that resulted in a layup from De Leon Negron. Then, another Nicholls turnover led to a steal by
Aliyah Collins who pushed the ball up for a corner trey from De Leon Negron.
Myra Bell capped off the third with a 3-pointer to lift the Cardinals to a 49-45 edge.
The battle continued into the final quarter as UIW broke out to a four-point lead twice and the Colonels once again hung around. With four minutes left in the game, De Leon Negron finished a running floater to put the Cardinals ahead five (62-57). UIW held onto the lead, outlasting Nicholls for the 70-62 victory.
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