SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word won its second basketball game of the young collegiate season on Saturday night when it bested UT Tyler, 66-54, at the McDermott Center.
 
SUPERLATIVES

• UIW's defense forced UT Tyler to live or die by the three-pointer. Of 55 Patriot field goal attempts, 33 were taken from beyond the arch.
• The outcome was never seriously in doubt after the midpoint of the first half. UIW established 22-point leads several times during the second half.
• Morgan Taylor, a freshman from Chicago who has started every game this season, led UIW with 19 points. Sophomore Christian Peevy contributed 15.
• UIW shot 49 percent from the floor. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
First half:

• For the second night in a row, UIW started four freshman and one sophomore. However, coach Carson Cunningham freely substituted from the beginning.
• Both teams played an even game for the first seven minutes, but a run featuring buckets from Augustine Ene and Cody Graham gave UIW a 15-8 lead at the 12:06 mark.
• UIW took its first lead of significance, at 8:59, when the Cardinals went up, 21-12, on a driving layup by Morgan Taylor.
• Two buckets by Taylor, a steal followed by a layup and Taylor's subsequent three-pointer, gave the Cardinals a 15-point lead at the 8:02 mark.
• A layup by Peevy on a nifty assist by Murray gave UIW a 35-22 halftime lead.
• UIW forced UT-Tyler to commit more turnovers (10) than the Patriots had field goals (6).
• Taylor, a freshman, led UIW with nine points at the half. Graham, a sophomore, had seven.
• UIW shot 48 percent from the floor in the first half. 

Second half:

• The teams played scoreless basketball for the first two minutes of the half.
• Then UIW took a 21-point lead on buckets by Taylor, Smith, and Peevy.
• UT-Tyler cut the lead to 11 with eight minutes left in the game.
• Two minutes later, the Cardinals had reestablished a 19-point lead on a baseline jumper by Peevy.
• UIW extended the lead to 22-points on several occasions in the last few minutes, until eventually winning by a 12-point margin. 

COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID
It was great to see the fellas get after it on defense. They played with zoom and zip and chatted. We're growing and that's really encouraging. UT Tyler played hard and ran its action with pace. We appreciate them coming and competing. Now it's time to get ready for the next one.
 
COMING UP
UIW concludes a three-game homestand on Monday when it hosts Texas Lutheran at the McDermott Center on campus. Tipoff time is 7 p.m.
 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.