KATY, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team defeated Houston Baptist University (HBU), 60-50, on Saturday morning in its final game of the inaugural Southland Conference Tip-Off Event.
 
Josh Morgan, the Southland Conference Player of the Game, led the Cardinal offense with 22 points. RJ Glasper followed with 10 points and six assists. Drew Lutz contributed all around the court, tallying eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.


The Huskies started the game on a 4-0 run before Morgan hit a three to spark the Cardinal offense. Morgan went on to lead UIW throughout the first half, going 3-3 in field goals and 2-2 beyond the arch, scoring 10 points to secure his seventh double-digit scoring performance in the first 20 minutes. Benjamin Griscti knocked down a three from the top of the key to give the Cardinals the lead late in the first half, and UIW kept the advantage, 30-27, heading into halftime.
 
HBU used a 4-0 scoring run to take the lead coming out of the break before Morgan used a strong drive to the basket to give the lead back to the Cardinals, 32-31.  UIW's offense took off the rest of the second half, using a 9-0 stretch of its own to push the Cardinals ahead by nine, 53-44. Glasper sealed the deal, knocking down a pair from the charity line to put UIW up, 58-46, with less than a minute to play. The Huskies continued to press but could not break through as UIW secured the victory, 60-50, in its final game of the Southland Conference Basketball Tip-Off Event.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals officially begin Southland Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 15, against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tip-off against the Islanders is set for 3:30 p.m. CT.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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