SAN ANTONIO – After inclement weather halted all team activities last week, and not seeing game action since its 67-68 loss to Northwestern State on Feb. 10, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team is ready to get back on the floor against Lamar inside the McDermott Center on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. CT, to begin the final two weeks of the season.
 
THE GAME THIS WEEK 

• The Cardinals are back at the McDermott Center to take on the Lamar Cardinals on Wednesday night, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. (Watch | LiveStats) 
• UIW snapped a seven-game skid last time out against Lamar on Feb. 3. 
• The Cardinals are seeking their third season sweep of Lamar since the 2015-16 season. 
• A win would mark UIW's first home win over Lamar since Feb. 27, 2016.
• The Cardinals are looking to take one step closer to clinching a spot in their first Southland Conference Championship since joining the league.

THE UIW CARDINALS 

• With a win, the Cardinals will tie their best conference start in back-to-back seasons under third-year head coach Dr. Carson Cunningham. 
• UIW is the nation's eighth-best team in both 3-point offense (39.5%) and 3-point defense (28.0%). 
• Sophomore Marcus Larsson recorded a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double in the last meeting of Cardinals. 
• Sophomore Keaston Willis is in the nation's top-75 in free throws made (55th, 83), free throw attempts (64th, 107), and points per game (36th, 19.5). 
• Freshman Logan Bracamonte ranks fourth in league with 41.2% 3-point shooting percentage. 
• Senior Des Balentine (7th, 3.8 apg) and sophomore Drew Lutz (11th, 3.2 apg) are the only pair of teammates in the SLC's top-15 in assists. 

 
THE CUNNINGHAM CULTURE 

• Since taking over as head coach in 2018-19, Dr. Carson Cunningham has guided the Cardinals to new heights in the classroom, in the community, and on the court.   
• Overall team GPA rose from sub-3.0 in 2017-18 to 3.23 in 2018-19, 3.46 in 2019-20 and a Fall 2020 GPA of 3.35.   
• In 2018-19, the Cardinals registered the program's first 1,000 APR score.   
• In 2018-19, UIW completed 282 hours of community service. The team was also the top men's program at UIW by completing 261.5 service hours in 2019-20.   
• UIW had a five-win improvement in conference play, going from one (2018-19) to six (2019-20) - the highest conference wins total since the team went 7-11 in the 2016-17 season.   
• This season, the Cardinals are second in SLC scoring defense, holding opponents to 69.8 points per game, third in field goal percentage (46.0%) and fourth in the league averaging 7.9 3-pointers per game. 

 
SERIES HISTORY vs. LAMAR 
UIW is 5-8 all-time against Lamar. The Cardinals defeated the Demons, 67-58, earlier this season and are seeking their third season sweep of the Beaumont Cardinals since joining the Southland Conference. 
 
SCOUTING THE BEAUMONT CARDINALS 

• Lamar leads the SLC in free throw percentage (73.6%) and second in blocked shots per game (3.65) this season.  
• Davion Buster led Lamar in the first meeting in Feb. 3, with 19 points on four 3s and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. 
• Kasen Harrison (83.8%) and Avery Sullivan (83.5%) are the league's top two free throw shooters. 
• Sullivan ranks third in league rebounding at 7.3 rebounds per game. 
• Buster, Ellis Jefferson and Harrison each scored double figures in their loss to Sam Houston. Buster led with 19 points, Jefferson scored 17 and Harrison added 15. 
• Sullivan nearly recorded a double-double with 16 rebounds and eight points against Sam Houston.

 
FOLLOW ALONG

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.
 
Follow UIW men's basketball on Twitter @UIWMBB and Instagram @UIWmensbasketball.