Nacogdoches, TX – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team won its first game over the newest member of the Southland Conference in the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 55-49 on Saturday night. This was the Cardinals first win in Nacogdoches.
 
Davion Bailey and Jalin Anderson led the way on the offensive end once again scoring 19 and 14 points respectively. Dylan Hayman added six points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
Both teams struggled from the field early. While the Cardinals defense prevented the Lumberjacks from scoring from the field until nearly eight minutes into the game, Davion Bailey was able to hit a couple of 3-pointers to help UIW get out to a 13-3 lead.
 
Down the stretch shots stopped falling for the Cardinals on the offense end. On the defensive end UIW was able to keep the 'Jacks from hitting a single shot from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes. The Cardinals went into the break with a 26-18 lead holding SFA to their lowest first half point total this season.
 
Bailey scored eight of the Cardinals 12 points to open the second half extending the Cardinal lead to the largest of the game at 14, 38-24. A few minutes later the Lumberjacks surged offensively going on a 14-4 run cutting the lead to single digits, 42-38.
 
The two team traded buckets for the next few minutes with almost no change to the lead. That was until the Cardinals made three consecutive stops and extended their lead back to nine, 52-43, with just over a minute remaining.
 
UIW was able to make three of their final four free throws to seal the game, earing their first win of the new year 55-49.
 
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