Feb. 14, 2009
Box Score
Brent Benson scored 24 points and made five 3-pointers as Texas State defeated Lamar, 71-67, before a national television audience on ESPNU at the Montagne Center Saturday night.
After Anthony Miles tied the game at 65 on a free throw with one minute remaining, Cameron Johnson scored on a layup and Brandon Bush followed a miss by Kenny Dawkins with two free throws to put the Bobcats ahead 69-65 with 29 seconds left. Lamar got to within two on a tip-in by Tristan Worrell but was forced to foul on the following possession.
Benson sank two of his five free throws with 10 seconds left and the Cardinals were unable to get any closer.
Dawkins led Lamar (12-12, 3-7 Southland) with 18 points, including 14 in the second half to go along with six assists and five rebounds. Brandon McThay and Jay Brown added 14 each. Brown also finished with 11 rebounds and two blocks for his league-leading eighth double-double.
Texas State (11-13, 4-7 SLC) also got 14 points from Bush and 13 from Johnson while holding a 29-27 edge on the glass.
Both teams shot identical from the floor, making 39.7 percent of their attempts. The Bobcats got to the foul line eight more times than the Cardinals and made seven more freebies.
The game was tied 11 times and had 13 lead changes. Lamar led 26-25 at the half.
Lamar returns to action next Wednesday when it travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face Sam Houston State at Johnson Coliseum. Start time is set for 7:00 p.m.
