The first women’s game of the LSC Championship provided a big upset as sixth-seeded Incarnate Word knocked off No. 3 Midwestern State, 75-71 in the quarterfinal round at Allen Event Center.
Ifunanya Mora hit a go-ahead layup and then two clinching free throws for the Cardinals’ final four points.
The Cardinals, who improved to 15-12 on the season, led by as much as 16 points in the first half and held an 11-point halftime lead. But the Mustangs surged back quickly in the second half and even grabbed their first lead with 11:33 to play. But UIW didn’t waver, continuing to hit clutch baskets. Incarnate Word had five players in double-figure scoring, led by Ashlyn Green’s 17 points. Mora scored 15, Chloe Wallace had 14 while Rose Whitehead added 11 and Jocelyn Jarmon chipped in with 10.
For the Mustangs, All-LSC first-team pick Savannah Carver led her team in all areas, with 17 points, six boards and four assists. Kristi Degelia and Jazman Patterson each scored 12 and Cierra Thompson had 10 points.
With 3:23 to play, MSU’s Karissa Lang buried a 3-pointer to give the Mustangs a 71-69 lead. But Midwestern wouldn’t score again and the Cardinals responded with the final six points – two free throws by Green before Mora’s final four points.
With the Mustangs trailing 73-71 with 30 seconds to play, Carver missing a running layup attempt that would’ve tied the game. Mora hit the clinching free throws to send UIW to the semifinal round where it will face the winner of No. 2 West Texas A&M and seventh-seeded Texas Woman’s University.
MSU’s season likely comes to an end at 19-8. The Mustangs were ranked 10th in the latest South Central Regional ranking.
For UIW to advance to the regional tournament, the Cardinals will need to win two more games in the LSC Championship for the automatic qualifying spot.
UIW notes
• Incarnate Word is made its Lone Star Conference Tournament debut this season.
• The win for the Cardinals is the team’s first ever in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, pushing its record to 1-0.
• The win improves UIW’s record to 15-12 and 10-11 in conference play.
• The victory against MSU is the Cardinal’s first this season, after losing twice by double digits in the regular season ? 68-50 in San Antonio and 76-65 in Wichita Falls.
• UIW allowed 32 rebounds in the game, four better than its season average (36.1 – 3rd in the conference).
• The Cardinals had five players in double digits, Ifunaya Mora (15), Ashlyn Green (17), Jocelyn Jarmon (10), Chloe Wallace (14) and Rose Whitehead (11). The five combined to shoot 24/40 from the floor for 60 percent.
• The game had seven lead changes, with all but one coming in the second half.
• Katy Cooke, 2nd Team All-Conference, led the Cardinals in rebounding (6) and tied for the team lead in assists (5) with All-Conference Honorable Mention, Ifunanya Mora.
MSU notes
• The Mustangs had 13 players see action in Thursday's contest.
• Savannah Carver had game highs with 17 points and six rebounds.
• Midwestern St. and Incarnate Word had identical nights at the free throw line, going 17 for 22.
• This is the first appearance in the LSC Tournament for the Mustangs since the 2002-03 season.
• This is the first loss for MSU to UIW this season, after defeating the Cardinals by double digits both times in the regular season. It is also the first loss for the Mustangs in the LSC Tournament quarter-finals.
• MSU is now 19-8 on the season and 7-4 in LSC Tournament games.
UIW quotes
UIW head coach Angela Lawson’s Opening Statement
“It’s really hard to beat us three times in a season, we got a big lead and they came back to hit some huge shots. We stayed strong as a team and fought the whole game. I think it’s a testament to the kind of team we are.”
Senior Chloe Wallace on the game
“We had the heart an desire to win, we never give up and know that we’re never out of a game. Our defense tightened up late which always helps your offense gain confidence.”
Junior Ashlyn Green on her clutch shots down the stretch
“I was just going with the flow of the game. I knew that I couldn’t score unless I shot the ball.”
Coach Lawson on next opponent
“We’ve played everyone twice already this season so there’s nothing special game-plan wise that we do. The reality of it is that it comes down to who plays better that day.”
MSU quotes
Head Coach Noel Johnson
“I felt like seeding didn’t matter in this game. Incarnate Word is a great ball club with versatility and aggressiveness. I knew it would be a battle to the end. A real dogfight.”
“I am proud of our team for fighting back from that deficit. I don’t think this was a Cinderella season, it is the start of something great.”
“We took a cautious approach with our press in the second half. We wanted to slow them down and get them in the half court. We only had about three offensive rebounds and we haven’t done that all year”
On the offense: “We tried to create where they weren’t helping and couldn’t hit the open person.”
“The future of this program is very bright. I am heartbroken right now, but I can’t wait to get this group back and work with them.”
“It came down to details. We let them get too much real estate in the paint. They have great players on their team.”
Savannah Carter
On the rally “We get behind a lot and like to keep the game interesting. We had to work to come back in the second half.”
On the improvement of the program “Coming in freshman year, we didn’t have much. Now we have new locker rooms, new shoes and the team is much better.”
Karissa Lang
On the improvement of the program “It’s been a long four years, but we have been taught to leave things better than when you come in. We have done that.”