IMMACULATA, Pa. - The Immaculata women's basketball team extended its win streak to four Wednesday night with a 54-45 win over visiting Cairn in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) play. Theresa Kearney led the way for the Macs with 21 points and 12 rebounds on the night - her fourth double-double of the season - while IU forced the Highlanders into 19 turnovers on the night.

Amber Ballinger also went for double-figures in the win with ten points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Gina Cocci lit the offensive fire early with a pair of threes in the first three-plus minutes of action, both of which regained the lead for the Macs.
-Jumpers from Dia Veneziano and Annie Kohutka extended the Macs' lead to seven prior to the end of the opening quarter. The Macs then went into a back-and-forth affair with the visiting Highlanders, but never lost the lead from then on as Amber Ballinger drained a three with 45 seconds remaining to hold the advantage at six.
-Theresa Kearney scored the first four IU points out of the break, but Cairn was able to storm back to shrink the Macs' lead to two with just under six minutes remaining in the third. Immaculata responded with a 10-3 run to end the quarter, stretching its lead to a game-high 12 in the process.
-Kearney scored 16 of her game-high 21 in the second half alone to lead the Macs on their charge to pull away from Cairn down the stretch, as IU led by at least six the entire fourth quarter.

KEY TEAM STATS
-Immaculata shot only 18-of-59 (30.5%) from the field but made up for it at the charity stripe, converting on 12-of-14 (85.7%) free throws.
-The Macs held Cairn to just 1-of-11 (9.1%) shooting from beyond the arc.
-The battle on the boards was even at 43 each.
-Both sides recorded ten steals on the night, but the Macs forced the Highlanders into 19 turnovers compared to their 17.

KEY INDIVIDUAL STATS
-IU Point Leaders: Kearney 21, Ballinger 10, Veneziano 8
-IU Rebound Leaders: Kearney 12, Veneziano 8, Ballinger and Halloran 5
-IU Assist Leaders: Kearney 5, Cocci and Halloran 3

UP NEXT
Immaculata (7-16, 6-8 CSAC) returns to action Saturday afternoon to host Keystone. The CSAC doubleheader with the Immaculata men is set to tip off at 1 p.m.