HOUSTON – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team got significant contributions from key role players in an 84-82 win over Houston Baptist on Saturday night. 
 
"They are all battles," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "Happy for the fellas. They grinded this one out. Our defensive intensity and attention to detail was key. Houston Baptist is hard to contain, gotta give 'em credit. They score a lot of points. Our guys were locked in. The fellas' ability to limit turnovers, particularly in the 2nd half, hit big shots, and knock down free throws late was huge, too. We can grow a lot from this."
 
NOTABLES 

• Redshirt junior guard Des Balentine recorded a career-high 16 points, shooting 8-10 from the field and addings six rebounds and two steals. His four assists also were a career best.
• Freshman forward Derek Van Vlerah also tallied career highs in points (10), minutes (28), 3-pointers made (2), and rebounds (3). 
• Freshman guard Keaston Willis led all scorers with 23 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
• Freshman guard Drew Lutz added 14 points with three assists and a pair of steals.
• Freshman forward Vincent Miszkiwicz finished with eight points and eight rebounds, marking the seventh time this season he's registered at least 8 in both of those categories.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
HBU got out in front early on a 9-2 run to open up the game, but Lutz and Miszkiewicz scored nine consecutive points later in the half to give the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 18-17. UIW went on an 11-2 run near the end of the half, capped off by a 3-pointer from Willis to extend the Cardinals' lead to 34-29. HBU responded with a 13-4 to end the half, leading 42-38 at the break.
 
SECOND HALF
Both teams stayed exchanged buckets for the first eight or so minutes of the second period, but the Cardinals managed to create some separation with a 12-4 scoring run over a six-and-a-half minute span to give UIW a 74-68 lead. HBU controlled the next two minutes with a 7-2 scoring with under four minutes to play, but UIW was able to seal the win with four clutch free throws from Lutz and Dwight Murray Jr. in the game's waning seconds. 
 
UP NEXT
UIW heads west to take on Abilene Christian at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 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.