NCAAB · Final

Incarnate Word Defeats Houston Christian 73-56

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · McDermott Center

Incarnate Word Cardinals 73, Houston Christian Huskies 56, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Houston Christian Huskies vs Incarnate Word Cardinals?

Incarnate Word Cardinals beat Houston Christian Huskies 73-56 at McDermott Center on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Houston Christian Huskies vs Incarnate Word Cardinals?

Incarnate Word Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -298 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.

The Incarnate Word Cardinals secured a decisive victory against the Houston Christian Huskies with a final score of 73-56. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the Cardinals’ strong home performance, improving their record to 9-6 overall and maintaining their perfect home record at 6-0 this season. The Huskies, on the other hand, fell to 5-10, continuing a troubling trend with their fifth consecutive loss.

Incarnate Word entered the game with a mixed form, having a record of 5-5 in their last ten games. They had recently won two games in a row, scoring an average of 80.0 points while allowing 72.6 points per game in that stretch. Their recent victories included a 79-70 win against the SE Louisiana Lions and a 90-66 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. The Cardinals had shown a strong offensive capability, particularly at home, where they averaged 76.8 points in their last five games.

In contrast, the Houston Christian Huskies struggled significantly, entering the game on a four-game losing streak and holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten games. They averaged 71.2 points scored while allowing 75.9 points per game during that stretch. Their last match resulted in a heavy 61-89 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. The Huskies had a mixed record away from home, with only 2 wins in 7 attempts.

Historically, the matchup between these two teams had been competitive, with the Cardinals and Huskies each winning one game against each other in the current season. The most recent meeting prior to this game saw Incarnate Word winning 74-64 at home on February 1, 2025, while they had lost 76-81 in an earlier away game on January 11, 2025.

The injury picture did not play a significant role in this matchup, as both teams appeared to be at full strength. However, the Cardinals' recent form and home advantage were pivotal in their performance. The game took place at the McDermott Center, where the Cardinals have thrived this season.

In terms of betting, DraftKings had set the spread at UIW -6.5, indicating that they were favored to win by that margin. The total points for the game were set at 141.5, with odds of -108.0 for the over and -112.0 for the under. The moneyline odds showed Incarnate Word at -298.0, while Houston Christian was at 240.0, reflecting the expectations of the market.

The game conditions were conducive to a strong performance by the Cardinals, and they capitalized on this with a solid offensive display. Key moments in the second half included Tahj Staveskie making crucial free throws and Demari Williams contributing with a three-point jumper, which helped the Cardinals maintain their lead and ultimately secure the victory.

Fans watching the game would have noted the Cardinals’ ability to execute their game plan effectively, particularly in the second half, where they extended their lead and controlled the pace of the game. The final score of 73-56 underscored their dominance, particularly at home, as they continue to build momentum in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UIW -6.5	141.5 o -108 / u -112	Houston Christian Huskies +240 · Incarnate Word Cardinals -298

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsTahj Staveskie27Incarnate Word Cardinals
AssistsTahj Staveskie2Incarnate Word Cardinals
ReboundsJordan Pyke10Incarnate Word Cardinals
PointsDemari Williams22Houston Christian Huskies
AssistsKylin Green4Houston Christian Huskies
ReboundsDemari Williams6Houston Christian Huskies

Recent form

Incarnate Word Cardinals

Last 10: 5-5Streak W280 scored · 72.6 allowed per game5-0 at home

W79-70vs SE Louisiana LionsDec 30
W90-66vs Northern Arizona LumberjacksDec 21
L65-69at TCU Horned FrogsDec 16
L83-84at LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 9
L67-74at Nicholls ColonelsDec 6
W71-67vs McNeese CowboysDec 2
W117-55vs Texas Lutheran BulldogsNov 26
L80-91at High Point PanthersNov 23
W87-81vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesNov 20
L61-69at Indiana HoosiersNov 16

Houston Christian Huskies

Last 10: 3-7Streak L471.2 scored · 75.9 allowed per game2-5 away

L61-89at Iowa State CyclonesDec 30
L64-79at Nicholls ColonelsDec 18
L68-78vs McNeese CowboysDec 16
L71-74vs SE Louisiana LionsDec 13
W85-76at LSU New Orleans PrivateersDec 6
L75-77at North Texas Mean GreenDec 3
L62-80at Georgia Southern EaglesNov 29
W72-65at The Citadel BulldogsNov 27
L69-74at Bellarmine KnightsNov 26
W85-67vs College of Biblical Studies AmbassadorsNov 21

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Stephen F. Austin	28-6	-	20-2
McNeese	28-6	1	19-3
UT Rio Grande Valley	19-14	6	14-8
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi	18-15	7	13-9
LSU New Orleans	15-18	8	12-10
Nicholls	14-19	8	12-10
Houston Christian	12-20	12	8-14
Northwestern State	10-22	12	8-14
Incarnate Word	12-19	13	7-15
Lamar	12-19	13	7-15
East Texas A&M	11-21	14	6-16
SE Louisiana	9-22	14	6-16

Box score

Stat	Houston Christian Huskies	Incarnate Word Cardinals
Field goals	23-60	28-62
Field goal %	38	45
Three-pointers	4-16	8-28
Three-point %	25	29
Free throws	6-11	9-12
Free throw %	55	75
Rebounds	39	36
Offensive rebounds	13	8
Defensive rebounds	26	28
Assists	9	4
Steals	3	8
Blocks	2	6
Turnovers	14	8
Team turnovers	1	2
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	13
Fast-break points	16	6
Points in the paint	36	34
Fouls	10	11
Largest lead	0	17
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	96

How the scoring went

1st Half23-30Demari Williams makes driving layup
1st Half25-30Ryan Bartley makes 3-foot floating jump shot
1st Half25-32Jayden Williams makes 0-foot tip in layup
1st Half27-32Demari Williams makes layup
1st Half28-32Demarco Bethea makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half30-32Demari Williams makes layup
1st Half32-32Kylin Green makes driving layup
1st Half32-34Harold Woods makes driving layup
1st Half32-36Harold Woods makes driving layup
2nd Half32-38Jordan Pyke makes 16-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half33-38Demarco Bethea makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half35-38Demari Williams makes layup
2nd Half37-38Demari Williams makes layup (Kylin Green assists)
2nd Half37-41Davion Bailey makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
2nd Half37-43Tahj Staveskie makes driving layup
2nd Half37-45Davion Bailey makes driving layup
2nd Half37-47Harold Woods makes driving layup
2nd Half37-49Marcus Glover makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Tahj Staveskie assists)
2nd Half39-49Ryan Bartley makes 2-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half41-49Demarco Bethea makes layup (Demari Williams assists)
2nd Half41-52Tahj Staveskie makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half41-55Davion Bailey makes 30-foot three point jumper
2nd Half41-56Esteban Mann makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-56Ryan Bartley makes driving layup
2nd Half44-56Kylin Green makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-59Tahj Staveskie makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half44-61Davion Bailey makes driving layup
2nd Half46-61Mambourou Mara makes driving layup
2nd Half46-63Jordan Pyke makes 8-foot hook shot
2nd Half49-63Trent Johnson makes 22-foot three point jumper (Ryan Bartley assists)
2nd Half51-63Mambourou Mara makes 2-foot dunk (Kylin Green assists)
2nd Half51-64Harold Woods makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-65Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half51-66Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-67Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-67Demari Williams makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mambourou Mara assists)
2nd Half54-69Tahj Staveskie makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half54-71Jordan Pyke makes 5-foot dunk
2nd Half56-71Demari Williams makes layup
2nd Half56-73Harold Woods makes driving layup

Win probability

Above the line favours Incarnate Word Cardinals, below favours Houston Christian Huskies.