SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won its third straight Southland Conference game following a victory over McNeese Thursday night by a final score of 70-65.
Jonathan Cisse exploded for 24 points to go along with 14 each from Davante Dennis and Niki Krause. Stephon Payne III recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Dennis got things started for the Cardinals scoring seven of the team's first 11 points of the game. McNeese was able to stay in the game with its first three baskets coming from behind the arch, however the Cowboys cooled down only making one more 3-pointer throughout the first half. Both teams went back and forth but the Cowboys held a 32-31 lead going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Cardinals went on an 8-0 run to retake the lead. McNeese missed the first nine 3-pointers of the second half and the Cardinals were able to draw seven early fouls putting them in the bonus with 13:01 left in the game. UIW's tough defense forced the Cowboys into shooting only 37 percent from the field and 13 percent from three in the second half. With 4:22 left in the game, Cisse hit a 3-pointer pushing his point total to 21. On the following possession he missed a layup but was able to make a steal that led to a transition ally-oop from Dennis to Payne III, giving the Cardinals their largest lead of the night at 13, with 3:29 left in regulation.
The game was not over as McNeese was able to get UIW in some foul trouble drawing four fouls in two minutes and cutting the lead to five, 58-63. The Cardinals were able to respond after the Cowboys began to intentionally foul going seven for eight from the line down the stretch sealing the victory, 70-65.
The Cardinals will be at home again on Saturday taking on Nicholls at 4 p.m. in the McDermott Center.
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