Incarnate Word secured a crucial 87-81 victory over Southern Indiana at the Ocean Center, thanks in large part to Davion Bailey's impressive 25-point performance. The Cardinals' win was fueled by a strong first half, where they outscored the Screaming Eagles 41-38. Incarnate Word's Tahj Staveskie and Harold Woods also made significant contributions, scoring 21 and 15 points, respectively, with Woods adding 9 rebounds to his tally.
Southern Indiana's Ismail Habib led the charge for the Screaming Eagles, posting 21 points and 5 rebounds. Cardell Bailey and Ola Ajiboye also had notable games, scoring 18 points each. Despite their best efforts, however, the Screaming Eagles were unable to overcome Incarnate Word's balanced attack.
The game was marked by a series of runs, with Incarnate Word pulling ahead by as many as 10 points in the second half. Southern Indiana refused to back down, however, and managed to narrow the deficit to just 4 points with under 5 minutes remaining. The Cardinals' ability to close out the game was a reflection of their resilience and determination.
Incarnate Word's victory keeps them ahead of Southern Indiana in the non-conference standings, and the win will undoubtedly have implications for their tournament chances. As a Quadrant 4 win for both teams, the result will have a limited impact on their respective resumes. Nevertheless, the Cardinals will take comfort in knowing that they were able to hold off a pesky Southern Indiana squad and secure a much-needed victory.
The Screaming Eagles, on the other hand, want to regroup and refocus after the tough loss. Despite their struggles, they showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the second half. With a record of 5-15, Southern Indiana must string together some wins if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
Incarnate Word's win improves their record to 9-12, and while they still have a long way to go, the victory is a step in the right direction. As they continue to navigate their non-conference schedule, the Cardinals want to build on this momentum and make a strong case for themselves in the tournament conversation. With their current NET ranking of 253, Incarnate Word must secure some quality wins to bolster their resume, but for now, they can take pride in a hard-fought victory over Southern Indiana.