SAN ANTONIO, Texas – HCU women's basketball had their Southland Conference win streak snapped against the UIW Cardinals 65-49 Saturday afternoon in the McDermott Center.
 
UIW (10-13, 5-8 SLC) opened the game impressively on both ends of the floor. Offensively they made five of their first eight shot attempts and forced turnovers on each of HCU's (11-13, 6-7 SLC) first three possessions.
 
After getting down four early, Abbey Sutherland made a nice fade away jump shot in the paint off a pass from N'Denasija Collins. Collins drove hard to the rim fighting through contact for a bucket on the Huskies next trip down the floor. Following the first media timeout, HCU's defense started clicked and held the Cardinals scoreless over the final four minutes of the quarter.
 
Kennedy Wilson checked into the game with just under four to play in the first and quickly knocked down a floater in the lane. HCU couldn't cut into the lead any further, trailing 14-8 at the end of the first.
 
UIW flipped the script to open the second quarter. The Cardinals went on a quick 6-0 run following two early free throw from Wilson forcing the Huskies into their first timeout of the game trailing 20-10. Collins knocked down a midrange floater following HCU's timeout before Julija Vujakovic knocked down a corner three to cut the deficit back to six.
 
A pair of free-throws from Elizabeth Matadi and another three from Vujakovic cut the Cardinal lead to just two with a minute and change to play in the first half. The Cardinals made one more free-throw prior to halftime and took a 24-21 lead into the break.
 
 UIW's offense was explosive to open the second half, rattling off a 14-2 run over the first six minutes to extend their lead to 14, 37-23 leading to another Husky timeout.
 
HCU came out of their timeout looking like a different team. Collins grabbed an offensive rebound and made her put back attempt and Nzoiwu knocked down a free-throw after getting fouled. Following a Sutherland steal, Collins got fouled on a layup and made her and-one opportunity. Vujakovic then drove through the lane, got fouled, and knocked down both free throws. On the Huskies next possession Vujakovic found a cutting Nzoiwu who made a floater in the paint to cut the lead all the way down to six forcing a Cardinals timeout.
 
UIW extended their lead to 18 out of the timeout exploding on an 18-5 run. HCU made a late push but the Cardinals lead proved to be too much to overcome.

Collins finished with another double-double (11-points, 11-rebounds). Wilson finished with nine points off the bench. Vujakovic and Sutherland both finished with seven points and four rebounds. Matadi finished with five points and knocked down all three of her free-throw opportunities.
 
HCU has a home-and-home next week against the Lamar Cardinals, first on the road Thursday afternoon before the two schools battle in Sharp Gym Saturday afternoon.