Box Score

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Lamar Cardinals got a career-high 25 points from senior Anthony Holliday, including the game-winning basket with five seconds on the clock, as the Cardinals defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 66-64, in a thriller Monday night at the American Bank Center.

The Cardinals improve to 9-7 on the season, and 3-1 in Southland Conference play following the win, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi falls to 7-8, and 2-1 in league play.

"I am so pleased with this basketball team tonight," said head coach Tic Price. "This was a total team effort. I thought LeMon Gregory did a great job leading us on the glass, and Anthony Holliday stepped up to bury some big shots for us. He also had eight assist to go along with his points. When it came down to the moment of truth we made plays when we needed to. Our guys showed a lot of poise going down the stretch tonight."

The Cardinals responded to a slow start offensively to shoot 47 percent from the field, and outrebound A&M-Corpus Christi, 34-31, on the glass. Lamar knocked down eight three-pointers on the night, including six in the second half, to finish the night 8-of-17 (.471) from three-point range.

The stats were similar for both teams as the Islanders connected on 46 percent from the field, and 53 percent from beyond the arc. Adding to the equality of the stats, there were six ties and six lead changes in the contest, but Lamar gained a huge advantage in transition. The Cardinals took advantage on the break outscoring their opponents, 20-4, in transition.

The Cardinals started the game shooting just two for their first 10, but the Islanders couldn't take advantage building only a six-point lead early. A&M-Corpus Christi was mired in its own offensive woes - 3-for-its-first-10 (.300).

After Lamar rallied to take a one-point lead on a LeMon Gregory layup, the Cardinals were stung by turnovers. Lamar turned the ball over on consecutive possessions and the Islanders knocked down a couple of three-pointers to build a nine-point advantage, 24-15, with less than eight minutes remaining in the half.

The Islanders were able to push their advantage to double-digits before Lamar settled down from the field. After the slow start, the Cards hit 7-of-their-next-14 and went into the locker room down three, 32-29.

Lamar finished the half 10-of-25 (.400) from the field, but only 2-of-7 (.286) from beyond the arc. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished the half 9-of-22 (.409) from the field and kept Lamar from making a consistent run by knocking down 6-of-11 (.545) attempts from beyond the arc. A&M-Corpus Christi was led by 15 points in the opening half from Brandon Pye.

With LU's leading scorer and rebounder Tyran de Lattibeaudiere held scoreless due to early foul trouble - only playing four minutes in the first half - the Cardinals got a huge boost from Holliday. The Los Angeles native scored eight points and dished out five assists, while sophomore Marcus Owens added seven first-half points.

The Cardinals drew even at 37 on a Quan Jones three-pointer from the right wing. Following the Jones basket LU was held scoreless for nearly three minutes as the Islanders built their advantage back to six points, 47-41, with less than 12 to play.

The Cardinals reclaimed the lead when Holliday converted an and-one with 7:15 remaining to cap an 8-0 run. Lamar pushed that advantage to three points when Holliday rebounded his own miss and kicked the ball on a wing to freshman Zjori Bosha who buried his second three of the game.

Trailing by two points, 64-62, the Islanders tied the game on a basket by Pye with 36 seconds remaining to set up Holliday's heroics. Holliday ran the clock down to nine seconds before he drove to the basket. In heavy traffic Holliday floated one that was pinned against the backboard and the Islanders were called for goaltending giving the Cards a two-point advantage with five second remaining. The basket would stand as Bryce Douvier miss a basket as time expired.

Both teams picked up the pace offensively in the second half. The Cardinals knocked down 14-of-26 (.538) attempts, while A&M-Corpus Christi was 13-of-24 (.542) in the final 20 minutes. The two teams switched roles from beyond the arc as Lamar connected 6-of-10 (.600) three-pointers down the stretch while the Islanders hit only two in the final 20 minutes, after knocking down six in the opening half.

Although Holliday was the only Cardinal in double figures, Lamar did an excellent job of spreading out the scoring. Senior Donovan Ross finished the game with eight points, while de Lattibeaudiere and Owens each had seven. Gregory got the start Monday and responded with six points and eight rebounds.

The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Jan. 17, when they travel to Natchitoches, La. to take on Northwestern State. The game against the Demons is slated to begin at 3 p.m. from Prather Coliseum.

-LAMAR-