SAN ANTONIO – Sophomores Keaston Willis and Brandon Swaby and senior Des Balentine each contributed with double-digit scoring efforts, but it was not enough as the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team fell to visiting HBU Huskies, 73-57, in Wednesday night Southland Conference action.  
 
HBU (3-12, 2-5 SLC) came out strong in the first half and made things difficult for the Cardinals early and the Huskies' defensive pressure allowed them to maintain a lead from the start. UIW never lost confidence as it clawed back from early deficits to tie the game four times in the first half, but the offensive streaks for HBU were too much for UIW to overcome.  
 
The Cardinals (6-7, 3-3 SLC) came back from multiple five-point deficits over the first five minutes of play, before HBU made key shots to preserve a lead. Willis tied the game at 19 with a pair of free throws, then fought for a strong layup on the following black and red possession, the game tied again at the seven-minute mark. The Huskies answered with a 15-6 run in four minutes to build back to a double-digit lead, 36-25, just under four minutes remaining. Swaby stopped the run with a pull up jumper for his team-leading sixth point in the half. The Huskies went into the locker room with an 11-point cushion, 41-30. 
 
UIW had a hard time finding its offensive rhythm in the first half, shooting just 38% (11-for-29), but stayed in the game as the Cardinals hit 5-of-6 at the free throw line. Freshman Logan Bracamonte and Willis each scored five points as sophomore Drew Lutz and freshman Josh Morgan added four in the half. 
  
The Cardinals fought to get within four (45-41) in the first five minutes of the second half with another strong drive by Willis, but the Huskies continued to answer with a 9-0 run over the next five minutes to get back out to 54-43 lead before a media timeout. 
 
Willis led the Cardinals with 14 points, Swaby pitched in with ten points and Balentine added ten points, a team-high eight rebounds and four assists on the night. Freshman GG Ezedinma scored nine points and grabbed eight boards for the Cardinals.
 
The black and red tried everything they could to go on a big run of their own in the final minutes, but HBU continually answered and contained the lead all night as four Huskies scored in double figures to secure a win inside the McDermott Center. Lee scored a game-high 19 points, Pedro Castro added 14 and Bryce Long tallied 10. 
 
COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID 
"That was a tough game for us. We struggled to make shots and just didn't get the ball popping around like we have been offensively. I have to tip the proverbial cap to HBU, they made things hard on us tonight. It's frustrating to lose, but we need to keep learning and keep battling together."
 
LOOKING AHEAD 
UIW hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday, Jan. 30 before heading to Beaumont, Texas, for a Cardinal showdown with Lamar on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. 
 
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. 
 
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWMBB and on Instagram @UIWMensBasketball.