SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won its fourth straight game, tying a school record for longest win streak versus D1 opponents, after beating Nicholls, 69-67.
Four student-athletes scored in double-digits, led once again by Jonathan Cisse and Trey Miller who had 16 each. Josh Morgan made a season high four 3-pointers with a total 14 points and Stephon Payne III added 10.
The game started fast and physical. UIW got out to an early 9-4 lead scoring the first four baskets in the paint and one free throw. Nicholls responded by knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers which spurred a 12-0 run giving them a five-point lead with 10:33 remaining, despite having turned the ball over seven times in the half. The Colonels caught fire in the final 10 minutes of the first half, shooting 73 percent from the field. UIW however was able to hang around by converting 11 of 13 free throws compared to Nicholls one of four from the line. At the half, Nicholls held a slim 36-31 lead.
Coming out of the break both teams played virtually the same making six of their first 15 shots from the field, knocking down one free throw and turning the ball over twice in the first 10 minutes of the half. The Cardinals battled through the second half, while they had trailed for most of the game, they never got down more than eight points.
With just under five minutes remaining Miller knocked down three free throws, followed by a 3-pointer from Cisse, giving UIW the first lead since the first half, 62-61. The Colonels scored on the other end, but Morgan and Cisse made back-to-back 3-pointers, putting UIW back up 68-64. The Cardinals iced the game with another Cisse jump shot and a free throw from Ben Griscti winning their fourth in a row, 69-67.This is the first year with double-digit wins for UIW since the 2016-17 season.
The Cardinals will be back on the road in Louisiana next week for games against SLU on Thursday and New Orleans on Saturday.
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