SAN ANTONIO — The Chicago State men's basketball team (1-1) used an 8-0 run late in the second half to defeat University of Incarnate Word (0-2) 66-54 on Thursday night (November 5) behind Mike Price's game-high 21 points. The Cougars finished with a 47-35 rebounding advantage and outscored UIW 31-5 off the bench.

UIW built an 11-5 lead before the Cougars pulled even, with a pair of Price free throws, a Davius Loury tip-in and a Malik Olafioye fast-break layup tying the first half at 11. After the Cardinals moved back ahead, Will Lovings-Watts' dunk put Chicago State up 13-12 and Foday Sheriff answered a UIW basket with a jumper before adding a 3-pointer and a tip-in to push the lead to 20-14.

The Cougars kept stretching the margin through baskets by Kameron Foman, Lohan Stephane Djiya and Price, then Price made three free throws and Sheriff hit another jumper for a 31-19 lead. The Cardinals got a 3-pointer from Ismail Habib late, but Olafioye and Djiya added free throws as the Cougars took a 34-22 lead into halftime.

Lovings-Watts scored inside early in the second half to put Chicago State ahead 36-22, but UIW steadily worked back as Godswill Erheriene scored three times in the paint and Ismail Habib added a 3-pointer and two free throws before Darrae Goodwin's jumper tied it at 38 at 13:19. Price broke the tie with a 3-pointer at 11:38, Foman followed with a dunk, and Lovings-Watts' tip-in, a Price jumper and a Ben Kalonji free throw pushed the margin to 48-39.

Chicago State later led 54-43 on Price's 3-pointer at 7:02 and after UIW pulled to 54-49, Kalonji scored on consecutive tip-ins to make it 58-49 at 3:52.

UIW got within 58-52, but Foday Sheriff's jumper at 2:34 opened an 8-0 run that included Malek Robinson free throws, Malik Olafioye's layup and two more Olafioye free throws, and the Cougars closed out a 66-54 win. Price scored 21 points, went 7-for-9 from the free-throw line and added two steals.

Sheriff finished with 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting and collected four rebounds. Kalonji posted seven points, six rebounds and three blocks. Lovings-Watts recorded four steals, five rebounds and six points.

Up Next
Chicago State looks to extend its winning streak for their home opener as the Cougars host South Carolina State on Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at Jones Convocation Center. Tickets are still available at gocsucougars.com/mbbtickets