Dec. 6, 2006
Final Stats
HOUSTON - Junior James Davis recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was not enough at Lamar University dropped a hard-fought game at Rice University, 83-71, Wednesday night in non-conference basketball action at Autry Court.
Lamar, who lost its third straight game, dropped to 3-6 overall. Rice evened its record at 4-4. The Cardinals return home to host Brigham Young Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7:05 p.m. at the Montagne Center.
Trailing 33-30 at halftime, Currye Todd opened the second half by nailing a pair of three-pointers to give the Cardinals a 36-33 lead. However, Rice answered with a Greg Killings dunk and a three-pointer by Chris Hagan to reclaim the lead at 38-36.
With the score tied at 42-42, Morris Almond and Lorenzo Williams hit consecutive three-pointers to give the Owls the lead for good at 48-42 with 12:41 remaining in the game.
Davis, who missed the two games in Tulsa for violating team rules, returned to the lineup in a big way for Lamar. He was 5 of 16 from the field and a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line in recording his second double-double of the season. He also added a team-high and season-high seven assists.
Lamar Sanders added 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Brandon Chappell added 15 points off the bench on 5 of 8 shooting from 3-point range.
Lamar shot 41.7 percent (25-of-60) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from three-point range and 75 percent (12-of-16) from the free throw line. The Cardinals forced 20 turnovers, but were outrebounded 39 to 30.
Almond led all scorers with 36 points on 11 of 17 shooting from the field, including 7 of 9 from 3-point range, and 7 of 9 from the free throw line. He entered the game ranked second in the NCAA in scoring at 29.3 ppg. Killings added 11 points and Hagan chipped in 10 with six assists and three steals.
Rice shot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the field, 60 percent (12-of-20) from 3-point range and 79.3 percent (23-of-29) from the free throw line.
