SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — Incarnate Word used a strong second half to defeat Texas A&M-Commerce 70-63 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at McDermott Convocation Center. The Cardinals, led by Brynn Lusby’s 19 points, outscored the Lions 21-19 in the third quarter to pull away after leading 32-31 at halftime. Tiani Ellison scored a game-high 28 points for Texas A&M-Commerce. Madison Cockrell added 17 points for Incarnate Word. Both teams are now 7-8 overall this season. An announced crowd of 150 attended the Southland Conference game.

SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive struggles and a decisive disparity at the free-throw line, the Incarnate Word women’s basketball team outlasted Texas A&M-Commerce 70-63 in a Southland Conference matchup on Thursday night at McDermott Convocation Center. The contest, which saw both teams enter and exit with identical 7-8 overall records, was ultimately decided by Incarnate Word’s efficiency from the charity stripe and its ability to capitalize on Lion mistakes. The Cardinals converted 20 of 26 free throws, while Texas A&M-Commerce managed 13 of 17. More critically, Incarnate Word turned 21 Lion turnovers into 27 points, a nine-point advantage in that category that proved insurmountable. The most important stretch of the game came late in the third quarter, as Incarnate Word transformed a narrow contest into a cushion it would not relinquish. Leading 40-38, the Cardinals ignited a 13-5 run over the final 3:54 of the period. The surge was fueled by Morgan Borgstadt, who scored five points during the run, including a driving layup and the ensuing free throw for a three-point play. Brynn Lusby added a turnaround jumper, and Madison Cockrell capped the quarter with a three-pointer off an assist from Mallory McQuietor to give the Cardinals a 53-43 lead heading into the final frame. Texas A&M-Commerce, led by a dominant performance from forward Tiani Ellison, fought to close the gap in the fourth quarter. Ellison, a 6-foot-1 junior from Durant, Oklahoma, scored a game-high 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field, adding three blocks and three steals in 32 minutes. Her interior scoring kept the Lions within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 61-57 on a Terrayah McCoy layup with 5:55 remaining. However, each time the Lions threatened, Incarnate Word responded at the free-throw line. Over the next two minutes, Borgstadt and Cockrell combined to hit four consecutive free throws to push the lead back to eight. The Lions never got closer than five points the rest of the way, as their offense stalled against a Cardinal defense that registered 12 steals. Incarnate Word’s victory was a balanced effort. Lusby, a sophomore from Frisco, Texas, led the Cardinals with 19 points and seven rebounds. Cockrell, a senior guard from Dallas, added 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 37 minutes. Jorja Elliott contributed 10 points and three steals. Borgstadt provided a key all-around performance off the bench with eight points, three assists, and three steals. For Texas A&M-Commerce, Ellison’s standout night was supported by Reza Po, who scored 13 points. Ahmya Boyce added seven points, three assists, and two blocks. The Lions held a significant 44-30 advantage in points in the paint, largely through Ellison’s work, but were undone by poor perimeter shooting, connecting on just 2 of 12 attempts from three-point range. Incarnate Word, while shooting a similar percentage from the floor overall (22 of 59), hit six three-pointers and controlled the glass with 16 offensive rebounds. The game began with Texas A&M-Commerce establishing an early edge, leading 17-14 after the first quarter. The Cardinals responded in the second, outscoring the Lions 18-15 to send the teams into halftime tied at 32. The third quarter proved the turning point, as Incarnate Word’s 21-19 edge, culminating in the critical late run, provided the separation needed to secure the win. Both teams continue Southland Conference play on Saturday. Texas A&M-Commerce travels to face Houston Christian, while Incarnate Word hosts Northwestern State.

SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — Two Southland Conference women’s basketball teams seeking consistency will meet Thursday when the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions visit the Incarnate Word Cardinals. The matchup at the McDermott Convocation Center pits teams with nearly identical records. The Lions enter at 7-7 overall, while the Cardinals are 6-8. Both squads are coming off road losses this past Saturday. Texas A&M-Commerce fell 60-55 to Texas-Rio Grande Valley despite a 21-point effort from standout forward Tiani Ellison. The Lions had previously won two of their last three, including a key conference road win at New Orleans on Jan. 3. Ellison has been a force, averaging 15.8 points over her last five games and posting a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in the victory over the Privateers. Incarnate Word dropped a 78-62 decision at Lamar, halting a modest two-game win streak that included a 56-52 home victory over Houston Christian. Guard Madison Williams led the Cardinals with 16 points in the loss to Lamar and will be a focal point for the UIW offense. The Lions have shown a pattern of following a loss with a win in recent weeks, a trend they will aim to continue in San Antonio. Their defense, anchored by Ellison and Alva Hedrich, who blocked five shots last game, will challenge a Cardinals team that has struggled to score at times, being held under 65 points in eight of their 14 games. For Incarnate Word, protecting home court is critical as they navigate the middle portion of their conference schedule. Their most impressive win this season was a 79-68 road victory at New Orleans in mid-December. Thursday’s contest is the first of a quick two-game homestand for the Cardinals, who host Northwestern State on Saturday. Texas A&M-Commerce continues its road trip at Houston Christian on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.