SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won its second consecutive game in overtime Saturday, taking down Southeastern Louisiana at home, 82-75. 
 
"Very happy for the fellas," Cardinals coach Carson Cunningham said. "They are growing and staying on the grind. They're all battles. Southeastern Louisiana played hard and made it tough on us. Fortunately, the fellas kept grappling and stayed engaged with the challenge. We're grateful to be able to compete and represent the storied Incarnate Word."
 
NOTABLES 

• Des Balentine scored a career-high 17 points, dishing out five assists and grabbing four rebounds and three steals as he continues his hot streak over the last couple of weeks. The redshirt junior has scored in double-figures in four consecutive games and recorded at least five rebounds and four assists in three out of the last four matchups.
• Keaston Willis also finished with 17 points to go along with two rebounds and two steals. Saturday marked the 15th time the freshman guard has scored in double-digits, a team best.
• Freshman guard Drew Lutz scored 15 points, going 7-7 from the free-throw line - a new career-high. 
• Dwight Murray Jr. added 13 points, going 2-4 from the 3-point-line with a rebound, an assist and a steal. 
• Derek Van Vlerah pulled down a team-high six rebounds, which set a new career best for the freshman. He also added three steals.
• The Cardinals won the turnover battle, 22-17, and outscored the Lions in the paint, 36-32. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF
The Lions jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but Balentine and Lutz brought UIW to within one with a couple of jumpers and a free throw. Freshman forward Marcus Larsson threw down a vicious two-handed dunk and Murray Jr. scored on the following two possessions to put the Cardinals up, 13-10. SLU went on a 10-3 run with five minutes left in the half to take a 28-22 lead, but UIW finished the period on a 10-6 run to go into halftime trailing 38-36.
 
SECOND HALF
The Lions once again opened the period efficiently on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, outscoring the Cardinals 14-5 over the first five minutes of the second period. UIW responded with a 9-0 scoring run to cut the deficit to 52-50. SLU countered with a modest 6-0 run to create some more separation, but again the Cardinals bounced back to score 11 consecutive points and take a 63-59. The Cardinals found themselves trailing by two with 12 seconds left, but Lutz sank two clutch free throws to send the game into overtime. 
 
OVERTIME
Willis and Brandon Swaby sank three free throws to put the Cardinals in front, 71-68. The Lions continued to attack the basket and connected on three layups to bring themselves to within one with under 30 seconds left to play. UIW managed to ice the game with six consecutive free throws, coming away with the 82-75 victory. 
 
UP NEXT
UIW heads back out on the road for another two-game trip starting with Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, Feb. 12. 
 
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.