SAN ANTONIO – The Incarnate Word Cardinals came into Monday evening being undefeated at the McDermott Center this season. The East Texas A&M University men's basketball team rolled to an 80-58 win to give the Cardinals their first loss on their home floor.
 
The Lions improved to 8-12 on the season and 3-7 in Southland Conference play. They now have six wins over Division I opponents this season, which is one more than last year. UIW drops to 9-10 overall and 4-6 in SLC action.
 
Through the first four minutes of the game, the Cardinals were held to just two points with the Lions building a 9-2 lead. UIW rebounded by going on a 13-3 run, grabbing a 15-12 lead at the 11:54 mark, the largest of the game.
 
UIW held a 23-20 lead with 8:38 left in the first, the Lions did not allow a point for the next five minutes and 16 seconds and took a 28-23 lead as part of an 8-0 run. The Lions did not trail in the game following that scoring burst.
 
The two teams exchanged three-pointers in the final minute of the first half as the Lions took a 38-29 lead at the half. East Texas A&M started the second half on a 12-2 run through the first four minutes, jumping out to a 19-point lead.
 
Through the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Lions shot 10 for 14 from the field and forced five UIW turnovers, while the Cardinals shot 5 for 16 from the field and 0 for 7 from deep.
 
The Lions had a game-best 67-43 lead with 7:54 left, but then the Cardinals put together a 7-0 run. The Lions did not allow the margin to get below 17 from that point.
 
All five Lion starters reached double digits as Damian Garcia (Houston – Dobie) led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds, Noah Pagotto (Wollongong, Australia) added 16 points in 27 minutes as well as two blocks, Gianni Hunt (Lakewood, Calif.) tallied 15 points and seven assists.
 
Ronnie Harrison (Forney) scored 12 points along with eight rebounds and then 11 points as well as six rebounds came from Tay Mosher (The Colony).
 
The Lions shot 55.6 percent from the field, including 67 percent in the second half and went 8 for 21 from deep. East Texas A&M had the 34-31 edge in rebounding as the Cardinals shot 33 percent in the game.
 

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The Lions continue their longest road trip of the season at Northwestern State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.