Box Score Dec. 8, 2008
Box Score | Quotes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Lamar made a few runs and hung tough with ninth-ranked Louisville but in the end the homestanding Cardinals were too much as they defeated Lamar, 78-56, on the final day of the Marques Maybin Classic at Freedom Hall Monday.
Jay Brown led Lamar with 16 points and eight rebounds for the second-consecutive day - along with four blocks, while Kenny Dawkins had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Louisville used its size advantage to generate a 36-28 edge in the paint and got timely 3-pointers in the second half. Lamar struggled from outside for the second-straight game, connecting on just 4-of-19.
LU did do a good job in transition, outscoring U of L 16-9 in fast break opportunities.
U of L shot 47 percent and was forced into 14 turnovers.
With Lamar holding a slim 10-9 edge six minutes into the game, Louisville went on a 9-0 run to take a 18-10 lead in just over three minutes. U of L had a 5-2 mini-run before the teams were even at 11-11 over the final nine minutes before the half. Louisville led 34-23 going into the locker room.
Coy Custer opened the second half with a jumper before Louisville went on a 12-0 run to stretch its lead to 46-25 with just over 15 minutes remaining.
Lamar continued to fight back and outscored U of L 17-9 over the next 6:04 to cut the deficit to 55-42. The spurt was capped off by back-to-back fast-break layups by Anthony Miles and Dawkins, with the latter forcing a time out from an irate Rick Pitino.
But Louisville squashed Lamar's hopes of a comeback as it responded with a 15-4 run to extend its lead to 70-46 with 4:20 on the clock.
Dawkins was named to the all-tournament team after he averaged 15 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.7 steals in three games.
Samardo Samuels led U of L with 15 points.
Lamar will now head home for the next three weeks. Up next is a home date with Texas Tech on Saturday at the Montagne Center at 7:05 p.m.
