Box Score Feb. 9, 2015 Box Score
GARLAND, Texas - Freshman point guard Kevin Booze scored a career-high 35 points to lead the Lamar Cardinals to an 80-61 win over Abilene Christian Monday night at the Culwell Center in Garland. Booze's 35 points are the most scored by a Cardinal since Mike James set the LU single-game record with 52 against Louisiana College during the 2011-12 season. The victory moves Lamar back to .500 on the season, 12-12 overall and 6-6 in Southland Conference play.
"Kevin Booze did an awesome job tonight in all aspects of the game, not just shooting the ball," said head coach Tic Price. "He got in a good rhythm and just starting knocking down shots. He also did a good defensively. I was proud to see him have a breakout game, especially in front of his family and friends. It couldn't have come at a better time for us. We are seeing him grow up and mature on the court."
On paper it was Abilene Christian that was supposed to be the threat from long range, leading the Southland in three-point shooting, but it was Lamar, led by Booze, who stole the spotlight. The Cardinals knocked down 11-of-19 (.579) attempts from beyond the arc, while shooting 46 percent from the field. The Wildcats were 18-of-48 (.375), and 9-of-18 (.500) from beyond the arc but couldn't overcome Lamar's torrid pace.
While Booze was busy torching the nets at one end of the floor, the Lamar defense was busy stealing extra possessions away from Abilene Christian. Lamar's stifling pressure forced the Wildcats into 21 turnovers which Big Red converted into 24 points.
It appeared early that neither team would miss from three-point range. Booze hit his first three of the game and the Wildcats responded with back-to-back-to-back triples to build a 9-6 advantage, but that was as close as ACU would get to victory. The Cardinals rattled off a 15-3 run to take a nine-point lead and never looked back.
Lamar's run was aided by six ACU turnovers in the game's first six minutes. The Cardinals took advantage pushing the lead to double digits before taking an eight-point lead into the locker room. Lamar finished the half 11-of-22 (.500) from the field, continuing their hot shooting from the previous game at Incarnate Word.
Booze posted a career high before walking off the floor at halftime. He scored 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Booze nearly outshot the Wildcats as a team in the opening 20 minutes of action. ACU could muster only nine field goals (37.5 percent) in the opening half, but were 6-of-11 (.545) from three-point range.
Although Lamar started the second half one for its first six, and 4-of-12, ACU was unable to make up any ground. In fact, Lamar was able to push its lead to 19 points with just over 13 minutes remaining. Lamar pushed its advantage to as many as 22 points before ACU closed the game with a three-point basket.
Booze was one of four Cardinals to finish the night in double figures. Senior Anthony Holliday scored 14 points, while classmate Donovan Ross added 10. Senior Tyran de Lattibeaudiere scored 11 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked four shots.
The Wildcats were led by 19 points from Parker Wentz on 5-of-9 shooting, while Austin Cooke added 12.
Half of all the made field goals for both teams came from beyond the three-point arc.
The Cardinals return to action Monday, Feb. 16, when they host Houston Baptist. The rematch against the Huskies is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.
-LAMAR-
