Houston Baptist defeats Incarnate Word 102-86 in Southland

Jan 25, 2018, 04:05 am

HOUSTON -- Jalon Gates scored 23 points, David Caraher and Braxton Bonds poured in 22 apiece and Houston Baptist led for all but six minutes to defeat Incarnate Word 102-86 in a meeting of the Southland Conference's winless teams Wednesday night.

Oliver Lynch-Daniels hit a 3-pointer with eight minutes left in the first half that gave Houston Baptist the lead for good. Incarnate Word battled as close as three points twice early in the second half before Caraher and Gates hit 3-pointers in a 10-3 run to hold off the Cardinals.

Gates made six from distance and Caraher three for Houston Baptist (5-16, 1-7). Bonds was 8 of 14 from the floor and 6 of 9 at the line.

Lynch-Daniels finished with 13 points and William Gates, Jr. 11 for the Huskies.

Incarnate Word (5-13, 0-8) shot 50 percent (31 of 62) with Charles Brown III leading the way with 22 points and Shawn Johnson adding 16.

Each team is short a key player. Josh Ibarra has been out for six weeks with a foot injury and Incarnate Word has been without Jalin Hart, a preseason all-Southland pick, since earlier in January.