SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 11, 2012) ―Cameron’s women’s basketball team fought hard through 50 minutes of basketball Saturday in San Antonio, but in the end fell just short, 79-75. Cameron (14-8, 10-7) and Incarnate Word (12-11, 7-10) fought neck and neck through the majority of the contest, forcing the game into two overtimes.

“We competed … I’m very pleased with our effort,” said Head Coach Tom Webb. “We did a lot of things really well tonight, but the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that. It’s really hard to win double overtime games. I know we’ll get better from tonight.”

In the first stanza, the Black and Gold came out and took control, leading from beginning until 20 seconds left. UIW was able to draw a foul down low in the final moments to get chance to tie the game from the charity stripe. Ashlyn Green converted 2-2 for the Cardinals to push the game to a second OT. Green opened the second overtime the way she ended the first, with a pair of free throws. Cameron took the lead on three separate occasions on baskets by Alexis Williams, Julie Paunovic and Sabelle Diata, but each time the home team had an answer. UIW was able to outscore CU 6-0 during the final minute to steal the game from the Aggies grasps.

The Black and Gold battled through adversity in the first half, at one point overcoming an eight point deficit to push the game to a tie at the half. Cameron took advantage of the close score and came out in the second half sniffing a victory. But each time CU looked to put away the Cardinals, UIW would make a big shot to even the momentum. The Aggies led 59-54 with four minutes to go in regulation but failed to make another basket in the period.

Paunovic, Williams and Diata led CU on the offensive end. Paunovic posted 21 points on 7-10 shooting, including 2-3 from downtown and 5-6 from the line. Williams finished with 20 on 8-16 shooting, including 4-9 from three point territory. Diata was solid in the post with 19 points, including a team-high 19 rebounds and two blocks.

“It was energy (that gave us success offensively),” Webb said. “The team had good energy. They attacked and were confident in their abilities.” “(Defensively) we did not execute. You’ve got to make plays to win, and they made plays late.”

The loss puts Cameron in fifth place in the conference at 10-7, above UIW (7-10) and under Angelo State (9-6), with three games remaining. The Aggies next test will come at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Texas Woman’s (11-10, 6-9) in the Aggie Gym. CU did solidify its place in the conference tournament today as Texas A&M-Kingsville dropped its contest to Midwestern State, 86-64. While the loss hurts, Webb said if his team shows the effort it displayed tonight, he has no worries about how the year will play out.

“That’s the hardest thing … everyone is evaluating the scoreboard,” he said. “But we played hard, played well together and we fought. You can’t fault us for that. If they (the team) compete like this the rest of year, it’s going to be a great ending to a great year. “