Box Score

BEAUMONT, Texas - Senior Tyran de Lattibeaudiere scored 30 points on 15-of-18 shooting as the Lamar Cardinals offense exploded for 128 Monday night to defeat Champion Baptist. Lamar's offensive production tied for the sixth-best game in school history as the Cardinals routed the Champion Baptist, 128-54 at the Montagne Center.

"I was proud of our defensive effort tonight," said head coach Tic Price. "We were able to force the tempo and get some steals and then convert on the other end. I thought we still made too many mistakes with the basketball tonight, however. I thought Champion Baptist came out very strong tonight as well. They did a good job of executing their game plan. You have to tip your cap to those guys. They really fought hard."

Five Cardinals finished the night in double digits as Lamar just missed a school record for field-goal percentage and margin of victory. The Cards finished the night 56-of-87 (.644) from the field. Both Lamar's 56 made field goals and the 74-point margin of victory are the second-best marks in school history.

Senior Donovan Ross added 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting. The Ridgeland, Miss. native, also pulled down five rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded five steals. Freshman Zjori Bosha recorded his first career start and responded with 13 points, five assists and five steals. Senior Anthony Holliday recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, while junior Dontavious Sears chipped in 16 points off the bench.

While the offense was clicking on all cylinders, the LU's defense was able to impose its will holding the Tigers to a 17-of-49 (.347) effort. The Cards also outrebounded their guests, 45-26, and forced the Tigers into 36 turnovers.

For all the highlights that existed by the end of the game, it started in a much different fashion. Although Lamar scored the game's first six points, the Tigers were able to keep the deficit within single digits for the first 8:31 of the contest, even pulling within three with 13:36 remaining. The Tigers rode the back of Cody Connor who scored 14 points in the opening half to lead CBC to an 11-of-25 (.440) first-half performance, but yhat all came to an end with just over six minutes remaining in the opening half.

Leading by 11, the Cardinals went on a 28-7 run to close out the half and take a 63-31 lead into the locker room. It was more of the same in the second half as LU opened the final 20 minutes on a 32-4 run and the Tigers never challenged after that.

Every Cardinal player who entered the game scored a basket except for one, while every Cardinal pulled down at least one rebound. Junior LeMon Gregory came off the bench to score eight points, while guards Quan Jones and Kevin Booze each scored six. Sophomore Marcus Owens chipped in five while junior Matt Hancock added two second-half baskets.

Connor led Champion Baptist with 22 points and seven rebounds. Hayes Linville added 14 in a losing effort.

The Cardinals return to action Friday when they host Milligan College. The game against Milligan will tip off at 7 p.m. All fans who bring a new, unopened toy will receive free admission to the game.

-LAMAR-