THIBODAUX, La. – The Cardinals went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes, helping the University of the Incarnate Word women's basketball team to a 52-47 victory at Nicholls on Thursday night after outscoring the Colonels 17-6 in the third quarter.
 
Aliyah Collins finished with 16 points (6-for-6 from the FT line) to lead the Cardinals. Destiny Terrell added 12 points and the team finished with 18 free throws on the night, shooting 78 percent.
 
After a 16-12 first-quarter deficit, the Cardinals snapped a five-minute scoring drought to once again come within four at 18-14 in the second quarter. Both teams scored a combined 17 points in the second, as the offense slowed for both UIW and Nicholls.
 
A pair of free throws from Jorja Elliott three minutes into the third were the first points of the second half from either team, turning it into a three-point game (25-22). UIW went on to take over in the third, outscoring Nicholls 17-6 for a 37-31 lead heading into the final ten minutes.
 
Nicholls quickly recovered, scratching at the heels of the Cardinals through the final three minutes of play. The Colonels stayed close, within at least three points of UIW, but the Cardinals went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes and 11-for-14 in the final quarter to seal the 52-47 victory.
 
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