SAN ANTONIO, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (5-1) topped NCAA Division I University of the Incarnate Word 74-66 at the McDermott Center on Friday.
 
It was a defensive affair to start the contest, as the two teams seemed to feel each other out. The Cardinal held a 7-6 lead before the Lady Rams went on a 7-0 run that started with a Stacey Darnley triple, and was capped on an Amy Easley jump shot swoosh to lead 13-7.
 
The Rams pushed the lead to 24-15 on a Krissy Parker jumper with 8:17 remaining in the half, but the Cardinals fought back. Incarnate Word got a steal from Alyssa Ward and was fouled on a fast break. She put in the first of a pair free throws to cut the lead to 26-22 with 6:23 left in the half. Texas Wesleyan held a slight lead the rest of the way, taking a 39-34 lead at the break after a Katelyn Threats lay-in.
 
The Cardinals cut the lead to 43-42 early in the second half on a Haley Frias three pointer, but the Lady Rams did not give up the lead and jumped back out to 49-42 lead after a pair of Onyesonam Nolisa free throws. The Cardinals the tied the game at 49-49 on another three pointer with 9:23 left in the game, this time from Melina Merritt. Darnley answered right back with a shot from downtown, and the Lady Rams continued doing a good job of protecting the lead.
 
Incarnate Word had to foul to try and preserve the clock, but Wesleyan stayed solid from the free throw line. The Lady Rams were able to build a sizeable lead late, leading by as many as 11 points on a pair of Darnley free throws. The Cardinals ran out of time, falling 74-66 to Texas Wesleyan.
 
The Lady Rams shot 41 percent from the field in the win, while IWU shot 34 percent. Wesleyan went 4-10 for 40 percent from behind the arc for the game. The Cardinals shot only 24 percent from downtown, hitting on 6 on 25 attempts. Points in the paint were slim, as IWU outscored the Rams 12-8. Wesleyan was helped tremendously off the bench, outscoring their Southland Conference opponent 20-9.
 
Darnley had the hot hand and led Wesleyan with 24 points, hitting on four of seven from beyond the arc. Nolisa notched a double-double behind 14 points and 15 boards, adding five blocks and five steals. Threats also posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
 
The Lady Rams will take on NCAA DII Midwestern State University on Tuesday, November 18. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm in Wichita Falls, TX.