Incarnate Word Tops SE Louisiana in Close Contest
Tuesday, December 30, 2025, 3:00 PM ET · McDermott Center
Incarnate Word Cardinals 79, SE Louisiana Lions 70, 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 SE Louisiana Lions vs Incarnate Word Cardinals?
Incarnate Word Cardinals beat SE Louisiana Lions 79-70 at McDermott Center on December 30, 2025.
Who was favored in SE Louisiana Lions 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 hard-fought victory against the SE Louisiana Lions, finishing the game with a score of 79-70 at the McDermott Center. This matchup was significant as it showcased the Cardinals' ability to maintain their home advantage, improving their home record to 6-0 this season. The game was competitive, particularly in the second half, where both teams exchanged leads and fought for control.
In terms of recent form, the Cardinals entered the game with a record of 5-5 over their last ten outings, riding a one-game winning streak. Their average points scored during this stretch was 83.0, while they allowed an average of 72.6 points per game. This scoring ability was evident in their last match against Northern Arizona, where they won decisively with a score of 90-66. Conversely, the Lions have struggled recently, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games and currently on a two-game losing streak. They averaged 67.7 points scored and 68.8 points allowed during this period, which reflects their challenges in both offense and defense.
The Cardinals have excelled at home, with a perfect record of 7-0 at the McDermott Center, while the Lions have had a tougher time away from home, holding a 3-4 record in away games. This home-court advantage has been pivotal for the Cardinals, allowing them to perform better in front of their fans.
Historically, the two teams have met three times this season, with the Cardinals holding a 1-2 record against the Lions. Their previous encounters included a close 71-67 victory for the Lions on March 10, and earlier losses of 66-71 and 63-86. These results added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as the Cardinals sought to even the score.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details regarding player availability, but any absence of key players could have impacted the performance of either team. The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that the Cardinals were favored to win by 6.5 points, reflecting their stronger home record and recent form.
The conditions during the game were conducive for basketball, with no adverse weather reported. Fans were treated to an exciting display of skill and athleticism, particularly in the second half, where pivotal plays defined the outcome. Key moments included Davion Bailey's crucial three-point jumper that put the Cardinals ahead 71-68, and Tahj Staveskie's subsequent shots that extended the lead further.
Overall, viewers were able to witness a tightly contested game where the Cardinals demonstrated resilience and strategic play, ultimately securing the victory against the Lions. The final score of 79-70 highlighted the Cardinals' offensive prowess and their ability to perform under pressure, especially in critical moments of the game.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UIW -6.5 | 135.5 o -115 / u -105 | SE Louisiana Lions +240 · Incarnate Word Cardinals -298 |
Leaders
- PointsJordan Pyke26Incarnate Word Cardinals
- AssistsTahj Staveskie6Incarnate Word Cardinals
- ReboundsHarold Woods10Incarnate Word Cardinals
- PointsIsaiah Gaines15SE Louisiana Lions
- AssistsJeremy Elyzee2SE Louisiana Lions
- ReboundsEthan Pickett9SE Louisiana Lions
Recent form
Incarnate Word Cardinals
Last 10: 5-5Streak W183 scored · 72.6 allowed per game5-0 at home
- 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
- W109-70vs Southwestern Christian U EaglesNov 11
SE Louisiana Lions
Last 10: 4-6Streak L267.7 scored · 68.8 allowed per game3-4 away
- L65-78at LSU TigersDec 20
- L69-70vs East Texas A&M LionsDec 16
- W74-71at Houston Christian HuskiesDec 13
- L68-76vs Northwestern State DemonsDec 7
- W69-65at Navy MidshipmenNov 29
- W76-68at Gardner-Webb Runnin' BulldogsNov 28
- L57-70at UNC Wilmington SeahawksNov 27
- W71-45vs William Carey CrusadersNov 20
- L68-75at Mississippi State BulldogsNov 15
- L60-70at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsNov 11
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 | SE Louisiana Lions | Incarnate Word Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-65 | 26-63 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 4-20 | 15-29 |
| Three-point % | 20 | 52 |
| Free throws | 16-20 | 12-16 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 42 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 27 |
| Assists | 8 | 11 |
| Steals | 10 | 4 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 21 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 22 |
| Fouls | 16 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 7 | 87 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half37-41Isaiah Gaines makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half40-41Peter Hemschemeier makes 24-foot three point jumper (CJ Booker assists)
- 2nd Half40-44Jordan Pyke makes 24-foot three point jumper (Davion Bailey assists)
- 2nd Half40-47Tahj Staveskie makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jordan Pyke assists)
- 2nd Half42-47Jeremy Elyzee makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-47Peter Hemschemeier makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half47-47Isaiah Gaines makes layup (CJ Booker assists)
- 2nd Half47-49Jordan Pyke makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-50Jordan Pyke makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half48-50Makhi Myles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-52Jordan Pyke makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-52Jeremy Elyzee makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-52Jeremy Elyzee makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-53Jayden Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-53Peter Hemschemeier makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Peter Hemschemeier makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-56Davion Bailey makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half54-56Isaiah Gaines makes layup (Jeremy Elyzee assists)
- 2nd Half55-56Makhi Myles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-56Makhi Myles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-58Davion Bailey makes layup
- 2nd Half58-58Peter Hemschemeier makes layup
- 2nd Half59-58Jalen Forrest makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Jalen Forrest makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Makhi Myles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-58Makhi Myles makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half64-60Jordan Pyke makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-61Jordan Pyke makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half64-64Jordan Pyke makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
- 2nd Half65-64Isaiah Gaines makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-64Isaiah Gaines makes layup (Kyle Edison assists)
- 2nd Half67-67Davion Bailey makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half67-68Davion Bailey makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half68-68Isaiah Gaines makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-71Davion Bailey makes 26-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
- 2nd Half68-74Tahj Staveskie makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half70-74Isaiah Gaines makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-77Davion Bailey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tahj Staveskie assists)
- 2nd Half70-78Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-79Tahj Staveskie makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Incarnate Word Cardinals, below favours SE Louisiana Lions.
Venue
- McDermott CenterSan Antonio, TX
- Attendance104
- OfficialsPatrick Evans, Eric Kronebusch, Jon Pierre
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