NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team earned a hard fought victory at Southland Conference rival University of New Orleans on Monday night, 71-68 at Lakefront Arena.

The Cardinals (7-7, 2-1) found themselves trailing 68-67 with 1:12 remaining in the game after Tevin Broyles converted a layup for the Privateers (5-9, 1-2).  Kyle Hittle (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) drew a foul on the next possession and knocked down a pair of free throws with 52 ticks left.  UNO had a chance to go back in front, but they missed a pair of free throws.  The Cardinals got the rebound and then Jontrell Walker (Aurora, IL/West Aurora HS) calmly converted two more free throws.  UNO had a final chance to tie the game, but Christavious Gill's three-pointer was off the mark.

UIW led by eight points in the first and second halves, but the second half proved to be a back-and-forth contest.  There were six lead changes in the final 11 minutes of the game.  The Cardinals led by six with 3:19 to play, but the Privateers were able to battle back and take the lead before UIW finally closed it out.

The Cardinals shot 38.6 percent from the field, made 6-of-23 from three-point range and were 21-of-25 from the foul line.  Hittle poured in 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and he grabbed six rebounds.  Derail Green (Houston/Klein Forest HS) was the only other player in double figures with 10 points thanks to an 8-for-8 performance at the foul line.  Shawn Johnson (New Orleans/Alief Hastings HS) led the team with eight rebounds while Mitchell Badillo (Houston/Cy Falls HS) dished out five assists.

The Privateers shot 44.1 percent from the field, made 4-of-16 from three-point range and were 12-of-15 at the charity stripe.  Kevin Hill led the team with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks off the bench.  Erik Thomas added 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.  They had nine more rebounds than the Cardinals, but committed two more turnovers.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday afternoon at Southland rival Southeastern Louisiana at 4 p.m.
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