GEORGETOWN – The Southwestern University men's basketball gave NCAA Division I Incarnate Word all they could hand Friday night before falling 80-61 in non-conference action.

The Pirates fell to 2-2 on the season as the Cardinals improved to 5-0 as they continue to make their transition to the Southland Conference and NCAA Division I affiliation. Southwestern pushed UIW for nearly 30 minutes before the Cardinals pulled away in the end.

Southwestern was able to hang tough forcing 18 turnovers on the night, however missed shots down the stretch doomed the Pirates.

Sophomore Jake Schifani came off the bench to lead the Pirates with 15 points. Schifani also played solid defense against the Cardinals 7'1" center, Ian Markolf, limiting the big-man to just eight points.

The Pirates stayed nip-and-tuck with the Cardinals for the first nine minutes as a Sean Myers lay-in pulled the deficit to one at 15-14. However, UIW answered with a three-pointer propelling the Cardinals to a 16-0 run.

Daniel Mataya found Schifani cutting to the basket to snap the Cardinal run at the 8:04 mark in the first half cutting the lead to 31-16.

Free-throws at the end of the first half pull the Pirates within 14 while Incarnate Word led 39-25. Southwestern would finish the night shooting 78 percent from the line while the Cardinals were able to reach the charity stripe an additional eight times.

Southwestern continued to play with the visitors in the second half as the Pirates and Cardinals both played starts deep into the ball game.

In the end Incarnate Word controlled the glass winning the rebound battle 43-27. The Cardinals also shot 51 percent from the field while Southwestern shot just 30 percent.

Myers and Michael Cantu also finish in double figures adding 10 points each while Myers led the Pirates with seven rebounds.

The Cardinals were led by Denzel Livingston who finished with a game-high 21 points.

The Pirates quickly return to the hardwood hosting Mary Hardin-Baylor before conference action begins the following week. Tip from the Robertson Center is schedule for 7 p.m.