HAMMOND, La. – In a game that lasted 55 minutes and spanned three overtimes, the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team battled against one of the top Southland Conference contenders, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on their home court Thursday night. Through ten lead changes and foul trouble, the Lions just barely held off the Cardinals with a 93-86 triple-overtime victory.

"It's tough to put into words the countless occasions this program has made our staff and UIW Athletics proud over the past five years on the court and off, said Head Coach Jeff Dow. "A Southland Conference Championship, a March Madness appearance, several program records for on-court success plus records for team GPA and Dean's list honorees. While also performing close to 2,000 hours of community service. We've had some epic wins, but I'm not sure I've been more proud of this team, even in defeat. We persevered and fought until the end."

Foul trouble proved to be critical down the stretch as UIW's top three scorers sat on the bench in the final minutes. Nina De Leon littered the box score, notching her third double-double, and commanding a presence on both the offensive and defensive boards. She finished the night with 22 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals while shooting 3-for-3 from 3-point land. Aliyah Collins matched De Leon with 22 points of her own and five assists. Chloe Storer (12), Jorja Elliott (10), and Myra Bell (10) all added double-digit scoring.
 
After a 9-2 start for the Lions, the Cardinals shifted energy and ended the first on a high note. Bell fronted the post which allowed De Leon Negron to step in for a steal and finish on the other end through contact for a crucial 3-point play. Destiny Terrell then snagged an offensive rebound and putback to tie the game at 13. Shooter, Hanna Wheeler took the lead for the Cardinals with a three, Collins added a transition layup, and Elliott drained a corner trey to end the first up, 21-15.
 
Southeastern Louisiana outscored UIW in the second quarter 18-13 to bring the score to a one-point game at the half (34-33). The Lions chipped away, finding their rhythm and shooting 46 percent from the field.
 
The Lions took back the lead on a last-second shot to end the third quarter. De Leon Negron had a crucial quarter, warding off SLU until the end with 10 third-quarter points through multiple lead changes.
 
De Leon, 3-for-3 from behind the arc, downed a critical three before Collins headed to the free throw line to give the Cardinals a 64-63 lead just under a minute left in the game. A charge called on the Cardinals gave the Lions the ball back. Then, SLU attacked the basket hard to get to the free throw line and tie the game, 64-64. With eight seconds, Collins got a floater off in the paint that rolled out and the Lions couldn't get the half-court bucket to go, sending the game into overtime.  
 
Neither team ran away in overtime, trading buckets and ending with a score of 70-70, triggering double overtime. The game once again ended in a nail-biting tie and with two Cardinals fouled out and two others playing safe with four fouls, the Lions and Cardinals entered triple overtime.
 
The Lions, with only one player in foul trouble, were able to secure the win behind 27 points from Hailey Giaratano.
 
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