San Antonio, Texas – The UIW men's basketball team shot 52 percent from the floor and had four players score in double figures as the Cardinals won their 10th-straight home opener, 93-90, over St. Edward's Tuesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

There were three ties in the first five minutes before UIW (1-1) used a 6-0 run for a 12-6 lead with 14:38 remaining in the first half. The Hilltoppers (1-1) scored the game's next seven points to take a 13-12 lead, highlighted by a three-pointer by Alex Doche.

There would be three more ties in the next four minutes before St. Edward's went on an 11-4 run for its largest lead of the game, 34-27, with 5:52 left in the opening half. The Cardinals came right back and eventually tied the game at 40-all with 28 seconds remaining, as Jalin Hart scored eight of the team's 13 points during the run and Jorden Kite was fouled shooting a three-pointer and made all three free throws. Following a pair of free throws by SEU's Ramir Burton, Hart went down the court and made a layup at the buzzer to send the teams into a 42-42 deadlock at halftime.

The teams continued to battle back-and-forth, with three ties in the first seven minutes of the second half. Shawn Johnson slammed a dunk and was fouled in the process, as he made the unconventional three-point play to give UIW back the lead.

Down by one with just under 10 minutes to play in regulation, Tyler Singleton swished a trey, Kite hit a jumper, and Hart forced a steal and hit a fast break layup as the Cardinals were back up by six, 72-66, with 8:23 remaining.

The Cardinals continued to lead by six before the Hilltoppers outscored UIW 9-5 in two minutes to cut the deficit to two. Sean Watkins hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to bring the score 92-90. Hart was intentionally fouled and made one of two free throws. Watkins nearly tied the game with a three-pointer at the top of the key, but after a review, the shot came just after the buzzer had sounded.

LEADERS

Jalin Hart led all players with a career-high 28 points, going 11-for-17 from the floor, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 3-of-6 from the charity stripe. He also posted nine assists and five steals. Shawn Johnson registered his first double-double of the season with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Tyler Singleton scored 13 points and Simi Socks chipped in with 10.

Ramir Burton led SEU with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 9-for-12 from the line. James Taylor dropped 14 and Landon Goesling added 12. As a team, the Hilltoppers shot 44 percent from the floor.

UP NEXT

UIW hosts Howard Payne on Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m. from the McDermott Convocation Center.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals host Rice on Saturday, November 26 at 3 p.m. before playing at Texas Tech on Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m.

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