Box Score SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won its first conference game of the season on the road against Houston Christian University, 89-78, Thursday night.
 
UIW had an amazing night on offense, recording their second-highest-scoring night of the season. Jonathan Cisse, 25 points, and Stephon Payne III, 17 points, each had career highs. Josh Morgan added a season-high 17 points.
 
The Cardinals were able to jump out to an early lead behind Davante Dennis' nine points on a perfect four-for-four shooting in the first 10 minutes of the game. With about six minutes left in the half, HCU scored seven straight points to retake the lead, 25-24. Cisse stopped the run with a step-back 3-pointer, giving him double-digit points in the first half. Down the stretch, the Cardinals went six-for-seven and pushed their lead back to five at the half, 39-34.
 
Coming out of the break UIW scored 12 points, each basket scored by a different student-athlete, and pushed their lead to 10 (51-41). With five minutes remaining, the Huskies were able to cut into the lead. After drawing 12 fouls and knocking down 12 of 14 free throws followed up by a dunk from Deshon Proctor, the Cardinal lead was cut to four, 66-62.
 
UIW responded with a 15-7 run extending the lead 12, the largest lead of the game for the Cardinals (81-69). HCU was forced to play the foul game, but the Cardinals converted on eight shots at the line in the final minutes of the game, sealing their first Southland Conference victory by a score of 89-78.
 
The Cardinals will be on the road again on Saturday for a matchup against Lamar at 6 p.m. in Beaumont.
 
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