KATY, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team did what they have done all season and put its heart into every play of every game. But a late Houston Baptist run in the final seven minutes of the second half helped secure an 80-65 Huskies' win as the Cardinals' season came to a close in their first Southland Conference postseason appearance in the first round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Basketball Tournament, Tuesday night, March 9, at the Leonard E. Merrell Center. 

With 3:24 on the clock and a 69-60 lead, the Huskies went 12-for-12 in crunch time when the Cardinals fought to claw back into the game, getting within seven (72-65) after a pair of free throws from Keaston Willis who led the Cardinals with 17 points and eight rebounds on the night. 

UIW (5was locked in early and started the game on a 7-0 run with Brandon Swaby knocking down a wide-open trey, Des Balentine followed with a mid-range jumper and GG Ezedinma nailed a pair of free throws before HBU countered with a 6-0 run to get within one point in the first five minutes to open the first round of the tournament. 

The Cardinals and Huskies traded blows for the next 26 minutes spanning the two halves in a tightly contested playoff basketball game. When the dust settled, both sides fought through 11 lead changes and five ties over the game. 

Brandon Swaby gave the Cardinals the scoring burst in the first half scoring the first bucket of the game on a trey and finished with a team-leading nine points at the break. After missing the regular-season finale against Abilene Christian, Willis pitched in with seven points and four rebounds. Des Balentine also had seven points and four rebounds, hitting the buzzer-beating jumper to give UIW the momentum heading into the locker room. 

The Cardinals took an unorthodox style to open the game, scoring 24 of their 31 first-half points in the paint and shot just 1-for-9 from beyond the 3-point line. 

The Huskies started the second half on a 5-0 run to get a, 41-35, lead at the 17:42 mark before Marcus Larsson fought down low for a tough layup to start a little run to pull within one, 41-40, at the first media timeout at 15:35 mark. 

A minute later, Drew Lutz put his head down for a tough drive inside and tied the game at 45 and Willis gave the Cardinals their first lead (46-45) since the 1:57 mark in the first half with a pair of free throws on the next UIW possession. Willis and the Cardinals continued with a 16-6 run to eat up three minutes of game time until HBU's Darius Lee regained the lead, 52-51, on a layup at the 10:55 mark. 

It was the final time UIW led. The Cardinals stayed within striking distance before HBU went on an 11-7 run to give the Huskies the late momentum they needed. Josh Morgan hit an open three and Bradley Akhile threw down an alley-oop from Lutz to get within five, 60-65, with 5:43 to play, but the Huskies did not flinch, using their 73.1% free throw shooting to close out the game. 

Swaby shined with 15 points as Morgan added nine of his own. Balentine finished with nine points, seven rebounds an assist and a steal in his final game in the red and white jersey. 

"(Balentine) is a warrior for us. He has fought his way through a lot of injuries and had a lot of people thinking he could not be at this level. He has helped lead the team to its first Southland Conference Tournament for the school and there's just not enough to say about him." UIW coach Cunningham said. 

COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID 
"The fellas played really hard, they gave it their all and that is all you can ask for. Houston Baptist deserves credit, they hit some really big shots and played hard as well." 

"With all the injuries we've been battling through the past several weeks, fatigue was a concern, but our guys continued to play hard and gave it their all. We can use this tournament and experience to motivate us moving forward." 

LOOKING AHEAD 
After making their first Southland Conference Championships appearance in program history the Cardinals look to return 14-of-15 guys with a chip on their shoulder and hungrier for better results in the 2021-22 season. 

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.