LAKE CHARLES, La. – After roaring back from a 15-point deficit to close the first half, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team couldn't carry their momentum into the second period as McNeese held on for a 72-56 victory. 
 
"This was a tight, hard-fought affair for 33 minutes," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "We missed some good looks late and had a few untimely turnovers. They hit some big shots late and asserted themselves more effectively from a physical standpoint. The fellas showed some real moxie, battling back from an early deficit and turning the game into a tight, hard-fought affair. But we need to continue to work on our down the stretch execution."

NOTABLES 

• Freshman forward Vincent Miszkiewicz picked up his first career double-double, tallying 14 points and 13 rebounds to go along with two steals, an assist and a block.
• Freshman guard Drew Lutz led the Cardinals in scoring with 15 points, marking the fifth game out of the last seven he's scored in double figures.
• Lutz also sank all five of his free-throws and hasn't missed from the foul line since Dec. 7 against Trinity, when he went 4-5. He's now hit 19 consecutive free throws and is shooting 87.5 percent from the line this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
Five of McNeese's first seven field goals came from behind the arc, putting the Cardinals in a 17-9 hole early on. The Cowboys went on an 11-0 run a little over midway through the first half, but Lutz got going offensively and helped the Cardinals to an 18-5 run to close out the first period, bringing UIW to within two, 33-31.
 
SECOND HALF
McNeese once again got off to a quick start out of the break, putting together an 11-2 run over the half's first three minutes. Junior forward Augustine Ene scored all seven of his points in the next two minutes to bring the Cardinals within four. Back-to-back layups from Miszkiewicz and freshman forward Marcus Larsson inched UIW back to within two, trailing 48-46 with 11 minutes left in the game. That was as close as the Cardinals would get to the Cowboys, however, as McNeese finished the game on a 24-10 run to seal the 72-56 victory.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals finish their two-game road trip with a visit to Stephen F. Austin at 4:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday, Jan. 18, in Nacogdoches. 
 
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.