Box Score Feb. 7, 2015 Box Score
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The showdown between the Southland Conference's two Cardinals was a battle that went down to the final minute of the game, but Lamar was unable to hold on for the win. The Incarnate Word Cardinals escaped with a 78-72 decision Saturday evening at the McDermott Convocation Center in San Antonio. The loss drops Lamar to 11-12 on the season, and 5-6 in Southland play.
"We've got to learn how to win the tight games," said head coach Tic Price. "Right now we are still struggling in terms of executing plays at keys times. We still have some growing up to do. When it comes down to it, we have to execute and make stops. Our kids played hard, and I'm not going to take that away from them, but we have to learn how to win in these situations."
The offenses had the upper hand throughout the contest. Lamar outshot their opponents but both teams finished the night above 50 percent. The Cardinals knocked down 30-of-57 (.526) from the field, while Incarnate Word shot 50.9 percent for the game. Lamar also outrebounded its hosts, 30-29.
UIW gained an advantage over Lamar in turnovers. LU turned the ball over 13 times which UIW converted into 22 points. Lamar converted UIW's eight miscues into only 10 points.
For the second time season, the Cardinals didn't not allow a player off the opposing team's bench to score. Big Red outscored the UIW reserves, 20-0.
Lamar scored the first basket of the game, but it was the homestanding Cardinals that opened the game with all the momentum. After falling behind by a basket, UIW responded with a 8-1 run to build a lead they would take into the locker room. UIW would push their advantage to double figures before Lamar settled down and got back in the fight.
Trailing by as many as 11 points in the half, it was the insertion of junior Dontavious Sears into the Lamar lineup that turned things around. Sears hit Lamar's first three of the game ¬- 3:51 in the first half - which sparked a run that saw the LU Cardinals pull within three points. Sears would go on to add another three-pointer, an and-one and closed the half with a field goal of the two-point variety to lead Lamar at halftime. Lamar was able to cut the deficit to four, 39-35, heading into the intermission.
Despite trailing at the half, Lamar outshot their hosts connecting 14-of-27 (.519) shots, while UIW was 13-of-28 (.464), but the UIW Cards connected on 4-of-8 (.500) from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals proved to have greater depth than their hosts in the opening half. Lamar's bench outscored the UIW reserves, 18-0 in the opening 20 minutes due in large part to Sears' 11 first-half points.
Lamar opened the second half on a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead, 41-39, it was first since the opening basket of the game, but the lead was short lived as UIW responded on the next possession. Both teams opened the second half on fire knocking down nine of their first 18 attempts.
The game remained close throughout the second half. The Cardinals gained their second lead of the half when they rattled off a 10-4 run, sparked by their defense. The run gave LU a three-point advantage 67-64 with 5:21 remaining, but UIW responded following a timeout and took back the lead. Lamar was unable to get back in front as UIW held on for the win.
The Cardinals had four players in double figures led by seniors Anthony Holliday and Tyran de Lattibeaudiere. Both players finished the night with 15 points, while de Lattibeaudiere added nine rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals. Sears came off the bench to score 13 points, while senior Donovan Ross got the start tonight and scored 10 points, all in the second half.
UIW was led by 22 from Denzel Livingston, while Traylin Farris added 20.
The Cardinals return to action Monday when they travel to Garland, Texas to take on Abilene Christian. The game against the Wildcats will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Culwell Center.
-LAMAR-
