COMMERCE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team clinched a spot in the 2025 Southland Conference Tournament after defeating the East Texas A&M 75-68 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Davion Bailey led all scorers with 30 points. Dylan Hayman scored 16 and grabbed seven rebounds. Lamin Sabally was the only other Cardinal to score more than 10 points, putting up a career high 14 in the contest.
 
The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead. However, the Lions responded going on a 16-2 run, taking control of the game, leading 23-13. Three-point shooting and bench points kept the Lions in the lead. That was until the Cardinals were able to bunker down on the defensive end. UIW forced a four-minute scoring drought from East Texas A&M near the end of the half and the Cards took a two-point lead with seconds to go in a half. The Lions tied the game at the buzzer to tie it up at 31 heading into the locker room.
 
In the second half Bailey completely took over the game, knocking down five of his first seven threes in the half, putting the Cardinals back in the driver's seat, 61-51, with around six minutes remaining. The Lions wouldn't go away cutting the deficit to four in the final moments of the game, but the Cardinals remained steady and walked away with their ninth conference win this season 75-68.
 
The Cardinals will close out the regular season Monday night against Northwestern State.
 
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