SAN ANTONIO – Impressive shooting performances from freshman guards Drew Lutz and Keaston Willis couldn't quite lift the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team to victory Sunday, as the Cardinals fell to Eastern Illinois, 72-63. 
 
"We played well for a good 36 minutes," Cardinals' coach Carson Cunningham said. "We need to keep plugging and working on closing games. The fellas are working hard. Eastern Illinois found a way and they deserve credit. We're going to keep battling. We're grateful to have hosted this event and for the teams that came."
 
NOTABLES 

• Lutz exploded for a career-high 20 points, hitting four three-pointers and all four of his free-throw attempts with five assists and a steal.
• Willis finished with 13 points, tying his season-high for three-pointers made with four. He also pulled down a career-high five rebounds.
• Freshman forward Vincent Miszkiewicz had another well-rounded game, scoring eight points with nine rebounds and two blocks.
• Sophomore forward Bryce Davis added eight points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
• UIW's perimeter defense was once again outstanding, allowing just 3-19 shooting from beyond the arc (15.8 percent).

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
Bryce Davis scored the first four points for UIW, the first two on a pair of free throws and the second on a fast-break where the sophomore grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down a one-handed dunk to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead. Murray Jr. and Lutz each made their first shots of the game, the former driving in for a layup and the latter coming off a screen at the top of the key for a three-pointer. 
 
Lutz started heating up for UIW, drilling two more long-range jumpers and a couple of more free throws on his way to an electric 15-point first half. The Cardinals went into the break with a 33-30 lead.
 
SECOND HALF
Miszkiewicz opened up the scoring in the second half with a deceiving back-to-basket post move that opened up space for an easy layup. On the next possession, he took a sharp pass from Murray Jr. for another bucket inside the paint. Lutz hit a floater on UIW's next possession to complete a 6-0 run, causing EIU to call a timeout to try and curb the Cardinals' momentum. Lutz continued his three-point barrage with another triple to give UIW a 46-41 lead at the under-16 media timeout. 
 
Willis started heating up from beyond the arc, connecting from long range on three three-pointers, the last of which gave UIW a 63-55 lead with under six minutes left to play.

As in rhythm as the UIW offense was for the majority of the game, the Cardinals went scoreless for the final five minutes and 40 seconds of the second half, allowing the Panthers to go on a 17-0 run to regain and hold on to the lead for an EIU victory, 72-63. 
 
UP NEXT
UIW will have the week off before heading back out on the road against the Portland Pilots at 5 p.m. (CT) Sunday, Dec. 1. 

STAY TUNED 
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. 
The UIW men's basketball team is on Twitter at @UIWMBB and Instagram at @uiwmensbasketball.