Box Score Jan. 19, 2015 Final Stats
BEAUMONT, Texas - Despite shooting 34 percent from the field and going more than six minutes in the second half without a field goal, the Lamar Cardinals (10-8/4-2 Southland) were able to rally for a seven-point victory over Southeastern Louisiana Monday night in the Montagne Center. Lamar defeated SLU, 57-50.
The victory - Lamar's 10th of the season - was also the team's fourth conference win which keeps Lamar in the upper echelon of the conference standings.
"I'm really proud of our guys," said head coach Tic Price. "They showed some mental toughness, and did a good job of grinding down the stretch. Our defense really picked up too. I thought Tyran (de Lattibeaudiere) gave us a big boost with a double-double, and (Zachary) Hollis pulled down some huge rebounds.
"We have one of those teams where every night different guys seem to step up. You can never tell with this team," added Price.
The Cardinals managed only 18 field goals, and shot only 34 percent from the field against the Lions, which included 3-of-18 (.167) from beyond the arc. While the LU offense was struggling to make baskets, the Cardinals' defense was making things difficult on the Lions.
SLU ended the night 17-of-54 (.310) from the field, and 5-of-18 (.278) from the three-point range. The Cardinals also forced Southeastern into 15 turnovers, which Lamar converted into 17 points. The Cards also outrebounded SLU, 40-38.
Lamar's biggest advantage came at the free throw line where the margin of victory was decided. The Cardinals connected on 18-of-22 (.818), while SLU could manage only an 11-of-20 (.550) performance.
As the Cardinals have done so many times during their 10 wins, they fell behind by 10 points in the opening half, but that deficit wouldn't last long. Lamar responded to the double-digit deficit by rattling off a 12-3 run to pull within point, 28-27, with 42 seconds remaining in the half. Lamar ended the half by stealing all of the momentum when sophomore Marcus Owens scored a layup with four seconds remaining to give Lamar a one-point lead heading into the locker room. Owens finished the game with 10 points.
The defenses got the best of both teams in the second half as each squad struggled to score coming out of the locker room. SLU reclaimed the lead when Zay Jackson scored three of his game-high 19 points nine seconds into the half. The three-pointer would be one of only four field goals made in the first 8:52 of the second half.
After freshman Kevin Booze sank two free throws with 16:57 remaining, the Cardinals were held scoreless for the next 6:11. Senior Anthony Holliday ended the drought with a jumper at the 10:32 mark.
Despite Lamar's inability to score a point during the six-minute stretch, the Lions weren't able to take advantage building only a five-point lead. In the midst of Lamar's struggles the defense stepped up holding SLU to just three points during a 3:54 timespan. SLU was held to an 8-of-30 (.267) second-half performance.
Lamar responded to the drought by going on a 19-7 run to build a seven-point lead, 52-45, with 2:05 remaining. The Lions made one last run to cut the lead down to two, 52-50, with 1:10 remaining but the Cards hit their free throws down the stretch to pick up the win.
"We were concerned coming into the game because their guards are very good," said Price. "Normally teams that we trap have trouble with it, but their guards are so talented and crafty that they were breaking those traps. We scrambled in our rotations, and we weren't aggressive enough, but down the stretch we did a better job of executing our offense. Defensively, we stopped trapping and decided to go our man-to-man and see if we can stop them. I thought we did a pretty good job of doing so."
De Lattibeaudiere led the Cardinals with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also blocked three shots, recorded two steals and dished out one assist. Holliday added 12 points and dished out a game-high seven assists. Jackson was the only Lion in double figures.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Houston, Texas to take the Houston Baptist Huskies. The game against HBU is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. from Sharp Gym.
-LAMAR-
