Box Score Nov. 28, 2014 Box Score
HOUSTON, Texas - Despite shooting 52 percent in the second half, the Lamar Cardinals were unable to get past a tough Texas Southern team Friday afternoon falling by the score of 71-59 in Houston. The loss dropped Lamar to 2-4 (.333) on the season, while Texas Southern improves to 1-5 overall.
"This was a tough loss," said head coach Tic Price. "We didn't have anyone step up defensively and make the big play for us. We struggled to end a defensive series with a rebound, which led to too many second chance opportunities for them. Then when we were able to get steals out of our trap, we weren't able to convert. Take nothing away from Texas Southern, they are a very talented team."
Lamar finished the game 22-of-48 (.458) from the field, but only connected on three triples throughout the game. Lamar also struggled from the free throw line converting only 12-of-22 attempts (.545), while TSU took advantage of their opportunities at the stripe (16-of-20/.800).
For the third consecutive game, the Cardinals took advantage of their depth on the bench outscoring the TSU reserves, 20-14, but 14 of those points for Lamar came in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Tigers got to a quick start opening the game on a 6-0 run, while holding Lamar scoreless for the first 4:15 of the game. Senior Tyran de Lattibeaudiere ended the early run with a basket and drawing a foul against Tigers, but couldn't convert the and-one. De Lattibeaudiere scored the team's first four points and the Cardinals would claim their first lead at 12:59 off a Zjori Bosha three-pointer, 9-8.
The Cardinals pushed their advantage to four points after another Bosha triple on the very next possession, but Tigers had an answer. Trailing by four, Texas Southern rattled off a 13-0 run to take a nine-point lead, 26-17. Lamar again turned to de Lattibeaudiere to end the run. The Kingston, Jamaica native's basket rejuvenated the Cardinals as they were able to cut the lead to three, 30-27, but the Tigers closed out the half scoring the final three points, including a tip-in at the buzzer for the 32-27 advantage heading into halftime.
The Cardinals could only manage nine field goals (.391) in the opening half, but outshot the Tigers in the opening 20 minutes (11-of-29/.379). Despite turning the ball over three more times than their hosts in the opening half, the Cardinals were able to cause more damage off Texas Southern's mistakes outscoring TSU, 15-14 in points off turnovers.
Sparked by a de Lattibeaudiere swat of a TSU dunk attempt - which led to an Anthony Holliday basket in transition - the Cardinals opened the second half on a 13-4 to take a 40-37 lead four minutes into the half. Lamar held that advantage until the 14:02 mark when the Tigers opened a 12-point lead following a 19-4 run that consumed nearly nine minutes. It was a run the Cardinals were unable to answer as TSU pushed its advantage to 17 points before recording the 12-poinit victory.
De Lattibeaudiere once again led Lamar with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He also pulled down a team-high five rebounds, dished out three assists, recorded a steal and had three blocks. Jones added 10 points and four assists with no turnovers in 36 minutes of action. Freshman Zjori Bosha came off the bench to score eight points for Lamar.
The Tigers were led by 23 points Chris Thomas, and 15 points from Malcolm Riley.
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when they travel to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State. The game against the Cyclones is slated to tip off at 7 p.m.
-LAMAR-
