SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team couldn't overcome Texas A&M Corpus-Christi's efficient shooting night, falling to the Islanders, 68-47. 
 
"We need to stay on the grind," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "Texas A&M Corpus Christi deserves credit for executing well and making things difficult on us. We will continue to work, to tighten our communication and execution on the floor and to work at knocking down open looks. We got plenty today. It's tough to hang in when we shoot 30 percent. We're going to keep plugging. In this league you have to learn, put it behind you, and get ready for the next one."
 
NOTABLES 

• Junior forward Augustine Ene tied his season high with 15 points, grabbing four rebounds and two steals. 
• Freshman guard Drew Lutz added 10 points, marking the 12th game this season he's scored in double-figures.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
The 3-pointers were falling for the Cardinals early in the game, with three of the team's five first field goals coming from beyond the arc. UIW cooled off a bit, going scoreless for more than five minutes midway through the half and found itself trailing 19-15 before a Des Balentine 3-pointer brought the Cardinals to within one. The Islanders outscored the Cardinals 24-6 in the paint during the first half and finished the period on a 7-1 run to take a 34-25 lead heading into the break. 
 
SECOND HALF
The Cardinals scored on their first two field goal attempts of the second half to reduce the deficit to 34-29 before the Islanders countered with a corner 3-pointer to extend their lead back to eight. UIW went on a 9-3 run midway through the half to cut TAMU-CC's lead to 51-43, but the Islanders responded with an 11-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 61-44, with three minutes left in the game. TAMU-CC closed the game on a 6-3 run to seal the 68-47 win. 
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals head back out on the road with a matchup against Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Houston. 
 
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.