Box Score AUSTIN, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season with an 85-78 win at Huston-Tillotson on Saturday.

The Cardinals (3-0) dominated the paint area outscoring the Rams (0-4) 40-22 on points in the paint.  However, the Rams were able to hang close thanks to a 19-9 advantage in forced turnovers.

UIW jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but the Rams weathered the initial storm and would take a 23-19 lead midway through the first half after an 11-0 run that featured a trio of three-pointers.  The Cardinals bounced back before the end of the half outscoring HTU, 15-7 over the final 7:21.

In the second half, the Cardinals built up a quick double-digit lead, but once again the Rams mounted a comeback.  A LaShawn Waters layup with 8:45 remaining cut the UIW lead to 64-60.  The Cardinals responded with a 15-5 run to give themselves a 14-point lead with five minutes remaining.  HTU made a couple of late buckets to cut into the lead, but never seriously threatened over the final few minutes.

The Cardinals shot 54.4 percent from the field and had five players score in double figures for a third straight game.  Kyle Hittle (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) led the team with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.  It was his first career double-double and he also drained 6-of-8 from three-point range.  Ian Markolf (San Antonio/Churchill HS) posted his second double-double of the season with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks while going 6-of-6 from the field.  Denzel Livingston (Houston/Waltrip HS) chipped in with 14 points, three assists and three steals.  Anthony Horton (League City/Clear Lake HS) and Sam Burmeister (San Antonio/Churchill HS) each scored 11 points.

UIW went 9-of-19 from three-point range and were 14-of-26 at the foul line.  They had 12 more rebounds than the Rams along with 19 assists.

The Rams shot 38.5 percent from the field, made 9-of-22 from three-point range and were 9-of-15 from the foul line.  Terry Johnson led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds.  Darion Cooks came off the bench to score 15 points.

The Cardinals are back in action on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at home against Northwood.
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