SAN ANTONIO -- Kyle Hittle scored 18 points, including 9 of 10 at the free throw line, to lead Incarnate Word to an 86-65 victory over Texas Lutheran in the season opener on Friday night.

Derail Green added 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds and Jontrell Walker finished with 11 points for the Cardinals, who got to the free throw line 42 times and forced 25 turnovers defensively.

Incarnate Word never trailed, opening on a 9-2 stretch capped by a Green jumper. The Cardinals had a 9-0 run midway through the first half and led by 13 at the break (37-24).

Texas Lutheran battled back in the second half, cutting its deficit to 45-42 on a 3-pointer by Jordan Kouremetis. But Incarnate Word pieced together a 17-4 run to regain a double figure lead and effectively put the game away.

Kouremetis led the Bulldogs with 17 points.