Miami, FL – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team fell in a close game to Florida International University (FIU) ,79-74, on Wednesday night.

Jonathan Cisse once again led the team in scoring with 17 points and added four steals. Trey Miller had 13 points, while Niki Krause and Brandon Swaby also scored in double figures.

The Cardinals struggled coming out of the gates getting down by as many as 18 points in the first half. UIW responded with an 11-1 run to cut the FIU lead back down to single digits, but the Panthers finished the half strong, outscoring UIW 21-8, giving them a 50-28 lead going into the break.

Starting off the second half the Cardinals stayed in the game by finding their way to the line and earning 10 free throws in the first eight minutes of the half. Over the next seven minutes UIW wouldn't shoot another free throw, but outscored FIU 20-9, cutting the lead to 68-64. 

With 45 seconds remaining in the game, the Cardinals intentionally fouled Arturo Dean. He missed the free-throw giving UIW the ball back down by four. Cisse and Dashon Gittens were tied up for a jump ball giving FIU possession where John Williams went one-and-one from the line sealing the game for the Panthers 79-74.

The Cardinals open Southland Conference play on New Year's Eve against Texas A&M – Commerce.

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--UIW CARDINALS--