KATY, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team dropped a 74-64 decision to Houston Baptist University (HBU) on Wednesday evening at the Merrell Center. UIW ended the 2021-22 season falling in a close battle with the Huskies that consisted of three tied scores and nine lead changes. 
 
"We were at a tough odds with a number of players out, but I thought they battled," said head coach Dr. Carson Cunningham. "We shot well from the three-point line but we knew rebounding was going to be an area they would try to exploit given our size difference, and I think that was the difference in the game. These guys battled and you just have to tip your hat to Houston Baptist."
 
Drew Lutz led the charge with 18 points, two rebounds and three assists. Josh Morgan followed with a 17-point performance. Robert "RJ" Glasper (12) and Brandon Swaby (10) also registered double-digit games.
 
Lutz scored 12 points in the first 20 minutes of the game. He sparked the Cardinal offense with back-to-back plays consisting of a euro-step jumper that shook the HBU defense, followed by a 3-pointer to push the Cardinals ahead, 24-15. Morgan continued the offensive momentum with a corner three to extend the lead to 29-24 with three minutes left in the first half. The Huskies knocked down a pair of free throws to take a 38-33 edge heading into the halftime break. 
 
The Cardinals came out in the second half with the same fighting momentum. Glasper knocked down the first eight points of the second half. Morgan then used back-to-back three-point plays to bring the Cardinals within one point with 11 minutes left in regulation. Swaby heated up in the second half with two strong drives to the basket, followed by knocking down four free throws. The Huskies went on a scoring run to keep the advantage through the second half before ultimately securing the win.
 
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