It all began back in the first week of November with an impressive exhibition game at the University of Arizona but it ended with a disappointing loss in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament.

In between Incarnate Word won 23 games including a run of 10-straight on the way to a Heartland Conference championship and a return to the NCAA post-season action for the first time in seven years. But momentum stopped in Warrensburg, Mo., as the Cardinals, seeded fifth, lost 87-82 to fourth-seeded Midwestern State (24-6) in the first round. MSU was ranked 21st in the nation in the final coaches' poll.

The Mustangs got out early in the game and at one time had a 13-point lead with 7:36 on the first half clock but all that didn't matter as the Cardinals battled back. At the 13:51 mark of the second half junior forward Tracy Robinson made a layup and UIW had it's first lead of the game at 53-51and the contest seemed to be shifting.

The game was tied at 57-57 when Midwestern State went off 8-3 to lead 65-60 with 11:04 to go. UIW was once again playing catchup. The final seven minutes were telling. MSU got five layups between 7:07 and 2:42 to get the margin up to six plus at the end the Mustangs were 4-5 at the free throw line.

"Their guards were posting us up and they made too many free throws," UIW Coach Ken Burmeister said. "Their guards just had too many points."

Midwestern State was led by Nolan Richardson with 24 including 10-10 at the stripe. Next up was guard Earl Rabb with 19. The only other Mustang in double points was guard Craig Green with 11.

Incarnate Word was led by Robinson, a non-starter. He finished with 20 points on 8-9 shooting. He also led UIW with his seven rebounds.

Senior center Jawan Bailey scored 16 while senior forward Garrett Bell closed his career with 14 points. Guard Shaun Umeh also was in double points with 11.

"We felt good about the game but we didn't execute at times," Burmeister said. "We had some outstanding performances but at the same time we had some that weren't so good."