LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team saw their four-game winning streak snapped on the road in overtime on Monday night.  The Cardinals lost to Southland Conference rival McNeese State University, 79-76 at Burton Coliseum.

Midway through the second half UIW looked like they were dead in the water after a James Harvey fastbreak layup capped a 10-2 run for the Cowboys (5-12, 3-4) to give the home team a 54-39 lead with 12:42 remaining in the game.  Senior point guard Mitchell Badillo (Houston/Cy Falls HS) dragged the Cardinals (9-8, 4-2) back into the game over the next few minutes.

Badillo knocked down a trio of three-pointers and scored 11 points over a 3:03 stretch as part of an 18-2 run by the Cardinals the ended with Kyle Hittle's (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) three-pointer with 6:31 left in regulation that gave them a 57-56 lead.

The Cowboys finally snapped the run and the team's traded points over the next few minutes.  The Cardinals took a 65-64 lead with 1:55 left, but McNeese answered with a Harvey three-pointer on the next possession.  Badillo tied the game with a pair of free throws with 1:22 remaining in regulation.  In the final minute, each team missed two shots and committed a turnover sending the game to extra time.

In the extra frame, the Cowboys never led by more than three points, but they never let the Cardinals grab the lead.  UIW had two chances to take the lead in the final two minutes and each time they turned the ball over.  Badillo made a layup with eight seconds left to make it 76-75, but Tevin Jackson was able to make two free throws for McNeese.  Badillo was fouled before he could attempt a three-pointer on the next possession.  He made the first free throw and missed the second on purpose, but did not hit the rim with the ball resulting in possession going back to McNeese with two seconds left.  Jamaya Burr made 1-of-2 from the foul line and the Cardinals were unable to attempt a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final moments.

The Cardinals shot 35.9 percent from the field, made 10-of-25 from three-point range and were 20-of-25 from the foul line.  They did not miss a field goal or free throw in overtime, but committed five of their 14 turnovers in those five minutes.  Badillo led the team with a career high 21 points, five assists and three steals.  Derail Green (Houston/Klein Forest HS) had 18 points and eight rebounds while Hittle finished with 13 points and six boards.

The Cowboys shot 42.1 percent from the field, made 7-of-20 from three-point range and were 24-of-32 at the foul line.  Burr finished with a game high 26 points as well as five assists and three steals.  Craig McFerrin and Jackson combined for 26 points and 16 rebounds while Harvey finished with 17 points.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at home against Nicholls at 4:30 p.m.
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