SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball weathered a hot start by the University of Missouri-Kansas City and toughened out a hard-fought 77-73 win over the Kangaroos Saturday afternoon from the McDermott Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UMKC (3-9), a team whose record does not reflect the true nature of the team (UMKC had played Wichita State, K-State, and NC State), opened up a 7-0 lead in the first 90 seconds of the contest, prompting UIW (5-3) to use an early timeout.
 
 The Cardinals came out fiery after the timeout and quickly tied the game at 7-all, highlighted by a three-pointer by Shawn Johnson. UMKC answered with a trey by Xavier Bishop, but the teams went back and forth for the next four minutes. A Charles Brown III put-back dunk at the 12:55-mark gave UIW its first lead of the game, at 18-17.
 
The Cardinals led by as many as six before UMKC's Bishop cut the deficit in half with another triple. UIW maintained the lead and a layup by Jalin Hart, followed by a free throw by Sam Burmeister, gave the hosts a seven-point advantage, 33-26, with 5:12 left in the first half.
 
UMKC scored seven points in three minutes to tie the game at 33-all. Jordan Giles' layup with a minute remaining in the half gave the 'Roos a 35-33 lead, but Burmeister tied the contest on the ensuing Cardinal possession, as the two teams entered halftime deadlocked.
 
The second half began a complete opposite from the first, as UIW jumped out to a 42-35 lead and forcing UMKC to take a timeout two-and-a-half minutes in. The run was highlighted by Simi Socks, who nailed a three-pointer and blocked a shot.
 
Isaiah Ross' long ball was part of a UMKC run that cut the Cardinal lead to two, 42-40, but UIW remained in control, as Johnson hit a three-pointer, Augustine Ene forced a steal, and Hart made a layup to bring the lead back up to eight, 51-43, with 14:32 left in regulation.
 
UIW led by as many as 12 before UMKC stormed back on a 11-4 run to cut the deficit to four. The 'Roos hit three 3-pointers during the run.
 
With UIW leading by four, Ross was called for a foul and UMKC's head coach was charged with a technical, resulting in a key swing of events. Socks made one of two free throws and Burmeister hit a jumper to increase UIW's lead to seven, 65-58. UMKC battled back to bring the game within one possession, 72-69, with a minute to go, but the Cardinals were cool under pressure, making five of six free throws to seal the win.
 
LEADERS

Johnson recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Socks scored a season-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, and 6-for-8 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down eight rebounds, which were the second-most on the team. Burmeister came off the bench to score seven points with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
Bishop led the 'Roos with 25 points and eight rebounds, as he was 50 percent from beyond the arc. Giles came off the bench for 15 points and five rebounds.
 
QUOTES

Shawn Johnson on the keys to the win:
"We knew what we did wrong in the first half. We capitalized off of their mistakes. Coach Smith bashed in our heads to slow down and stay composed."
 
Thoughts on UTEP Tuesday night:
"One game at a time. We just finished this game. We'll get locked in and ready
 
UP NEXT

UIW heads to the famous Don Haskins Arena on Glory Road to take on UTEP on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. CT.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals fly to face No. 22 Florida on Friday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

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