DAVIS, Calif. -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team went on a pair of 11-0 second-half runs but couldn't overcome a significant early deficit in an 81-69 loss to the University of California Davis on Wednesday.
The Aggies led by as many as 26 in the second half and held a 70-45 advantage with 11:50 to play before UIW put together its first rally of 11-straight points.
The Cardinals got three points on three consecutive possessions, then
Godswill Erheriene scored off an offensive rebound to make it a 70-56 game.
Unfortunately, that run was countered with an 8-2 surge by UC Davis to drive its lead back to 78-58. UIW would then held the Aggies scoreless for the next 6 minutes, 17 seconds, but couldn't find enough offense to significantly cut into the deficit.
While the teams were even in most statistical categories, free throws proved to be a major difference. UC Davis was 22-of-26 from the line, while UIW was 11-of-16.
Four Cardinals scored in double figures, with Erheriene and
D'arrae Goodwin both netting double-doubles. Both players had 14 points, with Erheriene grabbing 11 rebounds and Goodwin notching 10.
This was the second double-double of the season for Erheriene, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds against Chicago State on Nov. 5.
Max Garcia-Plata and
Ismail Habib added 12 and 10 points respectively.
Mekhi Connor, who finished in the top-30 nationally in assists each of the last two years, had a season-high nine on Wednesday.
The loss drops the Cardinals to 0-4 on the season. They get a week off before returning to the road to face Texas State at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18.
