Cardinals close out calendar year in the win column, 91-72, over McMurry
 
SAN ANTONIO – Sophomore Keaston Willis produced a new career-high points and freshmen Logan Bracamonte and Kenyon Holcombe added to the scoring total with their first career buckets as the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball finished the 2020 calendar year in the win column. UIW defeated visiting McMurry, 91-72, inside the McDermott Center.
 
The Cardinals (2-4) found the rhythm they had going before a three-week break in December. Willis continued to dominate offensively, erupting for a career-high 34 points, adding nine boards, four assists and a perfect 12-for-12 from the charity stripe.
 
"Keaston has been efficient and playing great all year. It is fantastic for him to put up numbers like today, and get back in a rhythm," UIW head coach Dr. Carson Cunningham said.
 
Bracamonte also shined in his first real action, going 4-for-9 from the floor including a pair of 3s to finish with ten points, while redshirt sophomore Brandon Swaby was a point short of his career high as he finished with 15.
 
"These guys have been practicing hard and to get them involved to get a rhythm is huge for them," Cunningham said about Bracamonte and Holcombe contributing with their first career points.
 
After a slow start against Texas Tech on Tuesday, the Cardinals were charged from the start of Thursday's tip, exchanging points in a flurry with the War Hawks (0-4) over the first ten minutes. Neither team could gain a lead over three.
 
It was not until the 6:30 mark that redshirt senior Des Balentine drained a pair of free throws and the Cardinals dug in for a 26-24 lead, one they would not surrender. Willis made a driving layup and an outside jumper on the next two possessions to give the black and red a five-point lead and Swaby had no problem hitting two free throw attempts to start a 10-3 run over four minutes.
 
UIW stretched the lead out to 11 after Willis nailed a trey off an assist from Balentine and closed the half as Willis toed the foul line for his 10th and 11th made free throws to head to the locker room up 46-37.
 
The Cardinals converted 48.1 percent (13-for-27) in the first half. They got away from the 3-point line and got to work down low, scoring 20 points in the paint and outrebounding McMurry.
 
Holding a nine-point lead at the break, UIW continued to play with energy as Swaby swished a long-range 3 and a turnaround jumper to make it a 55-41 score in the first two minutes. McMurry worked to close the gap but could not get within 12 points over the final 10 minutes in the game. 
 
UIW forced a season-high 20 turnovers and cashed in with 19 fast-break points while limiting McMurry to 46.8 percent shooting (29-for-62) and only six made 3s.
 
The War Hawks were led by Remy Minor, the only McMurry starter in double-figures (12), who also chipped in four rebounds and four assists. Jordan Hall and Rob Charles each scored eight off the bench.
 
COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID
"We had good energy and a good mindset today and the guys did a lot of nice things. We still have a lot to clean up and work on, but it is a great opportunity for us as a group to get better and learn more about each other and for the young guys to get reps. McMurry is a tough outfit. They play quick and have a lot of tough guys on the floor. We did a lot of good things, but still some to work on too."
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Cardinals and War Hawks square off again tomorrow for a 1 p.m. tip-off of the two-day matinee.
 
UIW begins Southland Conference action with back-to-back trips to Northwestern State (Jan. 6) and New Orleans (Jan.9), with start times scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwathletics.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
 
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