SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Ten second half three-pointers catapulted the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team to a 71-69 victory over Southland Conference rival University of Central Arkansas on Friday night at the McDermott Center.

The Cardinals (13-9, 8-3) shot poorly in the first half, but bounced back in the second half going 10-of-21 from three-point range against the extended zone defense of the Bears (5-16, 4-7).  UIW trailed by as many as six points in the second half before senior Kyle Hittle (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) caught fire and hit three consecutive three-pointers.

UIW would eventually build up a 61-52 lead with 5:30 remaining after three-pointers by Mitchell Badillo (Houston/Cy Falls HS) and Hittle sparked a 10-0 run.  The Bears immediately came back with a 7-0 run, but a Badillo three-pointer pushed the lead back to six points.

Central Arkansas kept attacking and tied the game at 67-67 after a three-pointer by Derreck Brooks with 1:35 remaining.  The Cardinals failed to score the next time down the floor and the Bears drew a foul, but could not convert on the 1-and-1.  UIW head coach Ken Burmeister called a timeout and they were able to get the ball inside to Derail Green (Houston/Klein Forest HS).  Green was unable to convert, but Hittle was there for the offensive rebound and put back layup with 22 seconds left to retake the lead.

The Bears had a chance to take the lead on their next possession.  They ran a play that left 20-point per game scorer Jordan Howard open for a three-pointer on the left wing.  His shot was off the mark and Badillo came up with the rebound and was immediately fouled.  He made both free throws, but the Bears scored with 2.2 seconds to play.  They were forced to immediately foul the Cardinals who missed a pair of free throws, but the Bears' three-quarter court attempt fell short at the buzzer.

The Cardinals shot 34.5 percent from the field, made 12-of-33 from three-point range and were 19-of-26 at the foul line.  In the second half, the team was only 1-of-8 from two-point range and 10-of-21 from three-point range.  Hittle led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds while knocking down 5-of-9 from three-point range.  Badillo finished with 17 points and four assists and was also 5-of-9 from long range.  Freshman Simi Socks (Coppell/Bridgton Academy) chipped in 11 points and four rebounds off the bench.  Green and Shawn Johnson (New Orleans, LA/Alief Hastings HS) each scored nine points and Johnson also had eight rebounds.

UIW had 18 assists against nine turnovers, but were out-rebounded, 45-34.

The Bears shot 42.6 percent from the field, made 5-of-16 from three-point range and were 12-of-20 at the foul line.  Howard led the team with 16 points while Mathieu Kamba and Derreck Brooks each had double-doubles.  Kamba had 15 points and 15 boards while Brooks had 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Jeff Lowery contributed 10 points off the bench.

The Cardinals are back in action on Monday night at 7 p.m. at conference leader Stephen F. Austin.  The game will be shown on ESPN3. 
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