NATCHITOCHES, La – The University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team secured a comeback, 63-57, victory over Northwestern State University on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter and battled until the buzzer, ending the week 2-0.

"It's hard to put into the words how proud we are of our team," said Head Coach Jeff Dow. "Nothing was going particularly well for us in the first half and we just looked sluggish. Northwestern State plays extremely hard and is always well prepared.I can't say I anticipated outscoring them 38-21 in the second half but it speaks to how well we responded in all three areas, offensively, defensively and on the boards."
 
With three student-athletes scoring double digits, the Cardinals chipped away at the deficit that was 11 points at the end of the half. Destiny Terrell led all scorers with 16 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Guard, Nina De Leon Negron pulled down an impressive 11 rebounds to go along with 12 points for her first double-double of the season. Aliyah Collins added 12 points and five assists to round out the Cardinals' balanced night.
 
Terrell has expanded her range his season past the 3-point line, countering her explosive attacking skills and making her a dual threat. She stepped out for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 21 in the second and then another quick bucket from Terrell tied the game once more at 23. Both teams went scoreless for a few minutes before Northwestern State nailed three treys in a row that led to a 13-2 run to end the first half with the Demons holding an 11-point lead (36-25).
 
The Cardinals came out of the locker room with a chip on their shoulders, stunning the Demons with a 7-0 start to the second half that cut the lead to four (36-32). UIW continued to work for the comeback while NSU refused to give up the lead. A 3-pointer from Myra Bell put the Cardinals back within four, 39-35, before De Leon grabbed her own rebound and finished through contact for a 3-point play and a one-point game (43-42). The Demons managed to hold onto the lead and end the quarter on top with a 48-45 edge.
 
The fourth quarter saw three different leads as Aliyah Collins found a cutting Terrell in transition for the first Cardinal lead of the game (49-48). Northwestern State quickly tied the game back up and the Demons and Cardinals battled until the final three minutes when UIW was able to hold NSU scoreless until the end of the game. Terrell finished a hook shot in the paint to hand the Cardinals a 61-57 lead with eight seconds left and UIW never looked back, winning the game 63-57.

"Defensively, we limited them to 24 percent from the field and only three free throws in the fourth quarter. Offensively, the ball and player movement was much improved and as a result we shot over 50 percent from the field, plus we went 13-17 from the free throw line. And we were solid on the boards all game with a plus 16 rebounding margin and limiting them to six offensive rebounds. This was a huge road sweep for us particularly coming on the heels of a heartbreaking two-point loss last Saturday."
 
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