Men's Basketball
Box Score
The Patriots hosted the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals Tuesday night in the Burg Center. The Patriots sent the Cardinals home with their first Heartland Conference loss by winning the game 63-53 in an intense battle.
Both teams were looking forward to start Heartland Conference play against each other. Neither team could create much of a lead in the first half as strong defensive play prevailed with the Patriots and Cardinals creating eight steals apiece in the first half.
Freshman
Jordan McGowen drained a jumper in the closing seconds of the half to pull the Patriots within one, leaving the score 25-24 going into halftime. McGowen led all scorers on the night with 16 points shooting 5 for 11 from the floor and a perfect 6 for 6 from the stripe. He added seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal in the win.
The Patriots carried their momentum into the second half as they took the lead by two, 40-38 midway through the half from a jumper by Junior Trent Brownlee. Cardinal Chris Patterson led his team with 14 points in only 19 minutes. Patterson was able to pull down two boards while adding two steals and one assist on the night. DBU did not take their foot of the gas, as tight defense did not allow the Cardinals to regain the lead the rest of the night.
The second half Patriot offensive charge was led by Junior Bryan Baumann as he scored all 11 of his points. Baumann added four steals, three assists, and two rebounds to help his team in the win. The Cardinals were forced to foul, but clutch free throws from McGowen and Sophomore Braxton Adamson finished off UIW, 63-53.
Patriot Senior Shelby Lewis recorded 11 points, three steals, six rebounds, and one assist on the night.
With the win, the Patriots move to 9-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. The Cardinals fall to 8-3 on the season and 0-1 in conference.
DBU's defense was able to find a way to hold Cardinal sharp shooter Pierce Caldwell to 12 points as he shot 3 for 14 from the floor with 10 of his 12 points coming in the first half.
The Patriots are back in action January 3, 2009 as they travel to San Antonio, Texas, to take on the St. Mary's Rattlers in Heartland Conference play. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
