Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Missed free throws and layups proved to be too much for the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball to overcome in a 71-61 loss at St. Mary's University on Tuesday at Bill Greehey Arena. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (4-4) went 13-of-25 from the foul line and shot 36.8 percent from the field.  Despite this, the Cardinals trailed by just four points and had the ball with 46 seconds left in the game.  The Cardinals missed a jumper and the rebound went to the Rattlers (5-1) and UIW was forced to foul.  St. Mary's closed out the game by making six straight free throws.

The first half was a game of runs as the Rattlers opened the game by taking a 12-4 lead in the first seven minutes.  The Cardinals responded with a 14-2 run to take an 18-14 lead with 7:59 remaining in the half.  The Rattlers came back with 15 of the next 18 points in the game and took a 30-25 lead into halftime.

St. Mary's came out quickly in the second half and took a 38-27 lead after a Kevin Kotzur short jumper a little over three minutes in.  The Cardinals were able to get back into the game behind freshman point guard Mitchell Badillo (Houston/Cypress Falls HS).  Badillo drained four three-pointers and scored 15 points in a span of 3:44 seconds to tie the game at 44-44 with 12:23 remaining in the game.

Moses Sundufu provided a spark for the Rattlers by scoring six consecutive points to help the team build up a 10-point lead with 5:27 remaining.  The Cardinals battled back, but the Rattlers were able to keep them at arm's length the rest of the game.

The Cardinals went 21-of-57 from the field and made 6-of-17 from three-point range.  Badillo led the team with 15 points and four assists.  Lyn'Dale Brown (San Antonio/Judson HS) added 13 points while Denzel Livingston (Houston/Waltrip HS) contributed 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks off the bench.  The team had 32 rebounds and committed 16 turnovers.

The Rattlers shot 43.1 percent from the field, made 2-of-11 from three-point range and were 19-of-27 at the foul line.  Daryell Taylor led four players in double figures with 14 points and seven rebounds.  Isaiah Matthews added 13 points before fouling out.  Sundufu finished with 12 points and Kotzur had 10 points and nine rebounds.  It was the first time this year that Kotzur did not record a double-double.  The team grabbed 48 rebounds and committed 18 turnovers.

The Cardinals travel to McMurry on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip-off.
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