The No. 2-ranked Lady Cardinals saved the best for last Wednesday night against the defending NJCAA champion Tyler Junior College Apache Ladies at Wagstaff Gymnasium.
Destinee McDowell drove inside for a shot with 1.4 seconds left to give the Lady Cardinals a heartstopping 64-63 win, improving them to 19-1 on the year and 6-0 in Region XIV Conference. McDowell led the Lady Cardinals with 20 points and nine rebounds.
McDowell's game-winner capped a comeback effort that saw the Lady Cardinals outscore Tyler 8-0 in the final 1:04. Tyler led throughout the second half and was up by as much as nine. The Lady Cardinals led 28-24 at the half.
Kaila Kelley had 11 for the Lady Cardinals and Briana Peguero 10. Mimi McCollister, Ashanti Barnes and Abby Cater netted seven each.
Tyler slipped to 12-7 and 4-2 with the loss.
The win was the 85th for Lady Cardinal head coach Precious Ivy. She is now 85-11.
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to host No. 5-ranked Blinn College (18-1, 6-0) in a showdown Saturday at Cardinal Gym. Action is set to start at 2 p.m.
