CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – After letting a 27-25 lead slip away with a 20-4 surge from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team went on a 29-11 run to weather the second half storm surge and claim a 58-53 Southland Conference victory on Saturday afternoon. 

The win marks UIW's first season sweep of A&M-Corpus Christi since joining the Southland Conference.

Keaston Willis produced 17 points for the Cardinals behind another balanced effort with Josh Morgan and Marcus Larsson both adding nine points. Brandon Swaby scored seven and Drew Lutz contributed with six on the afternoon.  

Down 27-25 to start the second half, A&M-Corpus Christi responded with a 9-0 run forcing a UIW timeout. Nolan Bertain hit a trey and a long two in back-to-back possessions, De'Lazarus Keys hit a jumper and Jaylen White fought for a driving layup to give the Islanders their first lead of the game and a 34-27 advantage.  

The Islanders continued their 20-4 run through the first eight minutes of the second half to claim its largest lead in the game at 16-points (45-29) until the second media timeout at the 12:05 mark. The connecting between Lutz and Swaby in transition allowed the Cardinals to get back within eight, 37-45, on back-to-back fast break layups by Swaby to spark the barrage of UIW scoring. Lutz cut it back to a five-point deficit with a 3-pointer from the left side to reel in the Islanders with just over nine minutes in the game. 
 
The Cardinals (8-8, 5-4 SLC) remained on the 19-2 run over four minutes to regain a 48-47 lead after Morgan flew in for a second-chance layup and Willis nailed another trey with four minutes remaining in the game.  

It was the momentum the Cardinals needed to carry out the win down the stretch. UIW's 92.3% (12-of-13) free throw shooting and eight 3-point attempts catapulted the Cardinals to victory. UIW held Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to just 39.6% (21-for-53) shooting and caused 13 turnovers in the win.  

The first half saw the Cardinals come out hot, scoring the first ten points of the game as Willis accounted for the first seven and Logan Bracamonte connected from long range. UIW held A&M-Corpus Christi to a 0-5 start before the Islanders got on the board on a trey from Myles Smith.  

UIW played with ease through the first half with Lutz, Swaby and Willis all comfortable from beyond-the-arc. The Cardinals closed out the first half with a two-point edge, 27-25, on 6-for-14 (42.9%) shooting from deep and 9-for-27 (33.3%) overall as UIW went with the balanced offensive attack. Willis led all scorers with nine points. Bracamonte, GG Ezedinma, Morgan, Swaby and Lutz each had a 3-pointer in the half for the Cardinals' first half arial attack.   
 
Myles Smith led the Islanders with 16 points and eight rebounds as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi dropped to 3-12 overall and 0-6 in SLC play this season.  

COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID 

"I'm very impressed with the fellas' fight. That was tough hard-fought game against a well-coached, challenging team on the road."

"Your Fighting Cardinals are playing with grit and they are playing together. We will enjoy this one, then wakeup in the morning ready to prepare for the next one. They are all battles in this league. Word up!"

LOOKING AHEAD 

The Cardinals are back at the McDermott Center for one game next week as they host Northwestern State on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m. UIW's Saturday home game against New Orleans was rescheduled for Monday, March 1. 

FOLLOW ALONG

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