Box Score STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS – Despite 28 points and 11 rebounds from senior
Dionelle Rucker (San Antonio/New Life Christian Academy), the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team lost, 77-71 on the road to Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State at Wisdom Gym. (
Box Score)
The Cardinals (12-10, 8-6) and Texans (15-7, 8-6) traded the lead 10 times during the first half. The Cardinals took their final lead on a lay-up by Rucker with 8:36 remaining in the half, but then the Texans regained the lead on a three-pointer by Coleman Furst. TSU closed out the half on a 6-0 run in the final 2:12 and took a 37-30 lead into the break.
In the second half, the Texans' lead quickly ballooned to 18 points after they opened the half on a 13-2 run. The Cardinals responded with a 14-1 run to pull to within five points with 10:45 remaining in the game after a conventional three-point play by Rucker.
The Cardinals got as close as three points, but TSU was able to regain control of the game and had a 10-point lead with 2:35 to play. The Cardinals continued to fight, but four straight free throws by Michael Hardge with under a minute to play sealed the game.
The Cardinals shot 46.3 percent from the field, made 4-of-11 from three-point range and were 17-for-20 at the foul line. Rucker went 12-of-22 from the field and was 4-for-4 at the line.
Andre Corley (Baytown/Sterling HS) was the only other player to reach double figures with 12 points off the bench while going 8-of-9 from the foul line. UIW had 33 rebounds and committed 14 turnovers.
The Texans shot 50.9 percent from the field, made 8-of-17 from three-point land and were 13-of-22 from the foul line. Chuck Guy poured in 23 points and had seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Brian Word added 21 points and was 5-for-5 from three-point range. Furst added 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jon Cathey-Macklin had eight points and blocked seven shots.
The Cardinals are back in action on Thursday night at 8 o'clock at West Texas A&M.
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