DALLAS, Texas – Senior Nick Garth scored 19 points to lead Lamar University offensively, but Big Red dropped a 79-65 decision Tuesday evening at SMU. Garth was one of three Cardinals in double figures as LU fell to 3-4 (.429) on the season.
 
SMU did the majority of its damage in the paint. The Mustangs (4-3) outscored LU, 42-16, in the lane. The Mustangs also found an 18-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
The Cardinals finished the night shooting 20-of-52 (.385) from the field, following a 12-of-29 (.410) effort in the second half. LU finished the night 8-of-26 (.308) from three-point range but closed the game 5 for its final 21. The Cardinals got the job done at the free throw line Tuesday converting 17-of-20 (.850) attempts.
 
SMU ended the night shooting 31-of-58 (.534) from the field following a tough start to the game. The Mustangs connected on 8-of-21 (.381) three-point attempts and went 9-of-16 (.563) from the free throw line.
 
The Cardinals recorded a 14-6 advantage on second chance points despite being outrebounded by two, 32-30.
 
Garth was joined in double-figures by junior T.J. Atwood (14 points) and classmate Laquarious Paige. The former West Orange-Stark standout finished the night with 10 points in his first game back from injury. Jahmal Mcmurray paced the SMU attack with 18 points.
 
Big Red got a quick start riding the back of strong shooting from three-point range. The Cardinals knocked down 3 of their first 5 attempts building an early 9-5 advantage. SMU didn't see its first lead until the 13:20 mark when Jarrey Foster hit a three-pointer to give SMU a 13-12 lead. Moments later Hunter pulled LU even at 14 with a three ball of his own but that would be as close as LU would get for the rest of the game as SMU began to methodically pull away.
 
SMU followed the basket by pushing their advantage to five points. The Mustangs then went on a 17-8 run to build a 14-point lead, 38-24, just before halftime, and took a 13-point lead into the locker room.
 
The Mustangs came out in the second half and immediately pushed their advantage to 18 points. SMU built its lead to as many as 22 points in the second half before the Cardinals began to cut into the deficit. Garth buried a three-point with just over six minutes remaining in the contest but that would be as close as LU could get until the closing seconds when Atwood hit two free throws for the final score. Atwood finished the night a perfect 8-of-8 from the stripe.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Houston, Texas to take on Rice. The game against the Owls will tip off at 4:30 p.m. and can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.