INCARNATE WORD 73, DALLAS BAPTIST 70
In the final game of the regular season it was the final second before it was settled. And it was the final day of the Heartland Conference race for tournament spots.
Incarnate Word (21-6; 13-3) defeated Dallas Baptist (17-10; 10-6) 73-70 in Dallas on a last second shot while the remainder of the qualifying teams finally sorted out the seedings. The championship tournament is set for March 4 through March 6 at St. Mary’s with the ultimate winner getting the automatic NCAA Division II South Central tournament bid.
In the game at DBU, Incarnate Word jumped out early and held the lead—by as much as 14 twice in the first half and once in the second—until there was but 6:44 remaining in the game. As fans might imagine Dallas Baptist playing at home had made a mad dash to take its first lead 57-56.
From that point forward there were three ties and five lead changes. Pierce Caldwell made a three-pointer with 2:32 to go putting UIW up six at 68-62 but the Patriots closed 8-2 for the last tie at 70-70.
UIW inbounded the ball, rushed it up the floor and when the final buzzer sounded Eric Stewart’s shot was in the air and headed for the bottom of the net. Final score, UIW 73-70.
Caldwell was the game’s leader with 22 points including 4 of 9 on three’s. The only other Cardinal in double points was Stewart with 12—the magical three got him to that level.
Now Incarnate Word prepares for the Heartland tournament were the Cardinals will be the number one seed. UIW will wait until Friday (March 5) at 5 p.m. when it gets the winner of Thursday’s game between #4 Dallas Baptist and #5 Texas A&M International.
The second quarterfinal game on Thursday will feature St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s with the winner advancing to play #2 Newman on Friday.
The title game will be at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Incarnate Word is the defending champion.