SAN ANTONIO – The Incarnate Word Cardinals closed out the regular season with a 58-46 victory over rivals Abilene Christian University (15-13, 9-9 SLC) at a packed Alice B. McDermott Center on Saturday afternoon.
The victory comes on Senior Day as Haley Frias and Melina Merritt said goodbye to the court as student-athletes.
UIW scored just nine points in the opening quarter but used a 13-8 second period to hold a three-point lead at halftime. Gabbi Bowie had 13 points on 60 percent shooting on the afternoon for the Cardinals.
The second half saw the visitors take a slim lead, but Frias nailed a three-pointer to give the Cardinals the lead for good. From there, UIW would ride the hot play of Bowie and Imani Robinson to capture the win.
Robinson led UIW with 22 points in 36 minutes, while Merritt finished her time at UIW with 8 points.
As the season comes to a close, UIW finishes with a 5-24 overall record and a 4-14 mark in Southland Conference play. The Cardinals finish 3-10 at home and 2-14 away from the McDermott Center.
All-Southland Conference teams will be announced will be announced at the end of the regular season.
