CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A pair of underclassmen were clutch in the final minute of regulation in the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball's 69-62 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday afternoon from the American Bank Center.

Redshirt sophomore guard, Jorden Kite, may have only finished with three points, but his trey was crucial, as it turned a two-possession game to a nine-point Cardinal lead with 1:12 left in regulation. Freshman guard Keaton Hervey went 3-for-4 from the line in the final 22 seconds to help UIW snap a program-record 17-game losing streak and give the Cardinals their first Southland Conference victory this season.

The win was not only UIW's (6-20 overall, 1-15 SLC) first in conference play, but it was also its first win on the road.

HOW IT HAPPENED

A three-pointer by Charles Brown III followed by a Sam Burmeister layup gave UIW an early 5-0 lead over TAMUCC (9-17, 6-10). The Islanders got on the board, but Shawn Johnson hit two 3-pointers to give the Cardinals a six-point lead (11-5) with 14 minutes left in the opening half.

The Islanders got to within three before UIW used a 13-2 run, highlighted by a Johnson steal resulting in a transition three-pointer by Augustine Ene, as UIW led 24-10 with 7:36 to go in the opening half.

The Cardinals remained in firm control throughout the remainder of the half. TAMUCC ended the final 4:19 outscoring the Cardinals, 9-4, to cut the deficit to nine at the break, 35-26.

TAMUCC battled back to start the second half and came within five following a Sean Rhea three-pointer, but the Islander fans were quickly silenced by a Burmeister three-pointer to put the Cardinals back up by eight (43-35) with 14:52 left in regulation. A Devin Wyatt dunk gave the Cardinals' a 10-point lead (47-37) a little over a minute later.

UIW led by as many as 13, but an Islander rally cut the deficit to seven (57-50) with just over four minutes remaining, as Tre Gray forced a steal and scored a fast-break layup. The deficit continued to shrink, as Gray's three-pointer brought the Islanders within four (59-55) with 2:04 to go.

A Brown III layup and a huge three-pointer from Kite quickly put the Cardinals back up by nine (64-55) with 1:12 left in regulation. Joseph Kilgore hit an NBA-type three-pointer to bring the Islanders within five with 11 seconds remaining, but a pair of Hervey free throws sealed the win for UIW.

LEADERS

Johnson posted his second double-double of the season, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Brown III led the Cardinals with 18 points, while Ene scored 12, which all came in the first half.

Kilgore led all scorers with 23 points.

UP NEXT

UIW returns home to face HBU on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals end the season hosting Abilene Christian next Saturday, Mar. 3 at 3 p.m. on Senior Day.

To purchase tickets, contact UIW Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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