BEAUMONT, Texas – Senior Nick Garth scored a career-high 36 points – on 8-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc – to lead an inspired Lamar University squad past Texas Southern, 80-72, Wednesday evening at the Montagne Center.
 
The victory moved LU (5-6) to a perfect 4-0 at home on the season.
 
"We beat a very good team tonight," said LU head coach Tic Price. "Texas Southern went on the road and defeated Baylor and Oregon in very hostile environments. We've struggle at times this year by not responding, but every time TSU threw a punch we were able to counter. We got big contributions from everyone we had to have them from. We have to get those type performances from each guy on this team. We had some guys come off the bench tonight that were key in us getting this win.
 
"We also have to understand that we must build from this win. We can enjoy it for the rest of the night but come tomorrow its back to work. We have to take this and improve on it," added Price.
 
Garth was one of three Cardinals to hit double-figures Wednesday to lead an offense that shot better than 41 percent from the field. The Red and White shot better from three-point range than they did from the field in both halves (7-of-13/.538 – 1^st and 6-of-10/.600 – 2^nd). The Cardinals forced TSU into 17 turnovers and converted that into a four-point advantage in points off turnovers, 24-20.
 
"I knew Nick would be up for this game," said Price. "This was a Houston team and he is from Houston. He was very locked in during game preparation. He is a rhythm shooter and once he gets started it's hard to slow him down. We need him to continue to step up."
 
The Cardinals also outrebounded a much taller Texas Southern squad, 40-38, led by senior Josh Nzeakor. The Mesquite native scored 19 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Ten of LU's 40 boards came on the offense end of the floor.
 
The Tigers finished the night shooting 26-of-61 (.426) from the field but struggled to a get anything going from long range. The Cardinals held their guests to a 6-of-22 (.273) performance on threes. The only discernable advantage for TSU came at the free throw line and their ability to block shots. The Tigers finished the night 14-of-18 (.778) from the stripe and blocked eight shots.
 
The Cardinals' first basket of the came from Garth – a three-pointer – it was a sign of things to come. The game started out as a back-and-forth affair that saw TSU build a six-point advantage midway through the first. The Cardinals tied the game at 20 on a basket at the 8:29 mark of the opening half and after forcing a stop took the lead on a Jordan Hunter three-ball. Hunter finished the game with 17 points (on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc) and a game-high seven assists.
 
Hunter's basket was significant because it gave LU a lead it wouldn't surrender. The Red and White took a nine-point lead into the locker room. They appeared to have all the momentum but Texas Southern came out in the opening minutes of the second half and trimmed the lead to three less than three minutes in. Following a Jalyn Patterson three-pointer TSU was within two, 52-50, with more than 12 minutes remaining. The Cardinals responded with a 13-0 run to build a 65-50 advantage with less than 10 to play.
 
The Cards pushed their lead to as many as 17 before TSU mounted one final run. The Tigers took advantage of some turnovers and clutch free throw shooting to trim the lead to four, 76-72, with less than a minute to play. LU didn't allow the visitors to get any closer scoring the final four points of the game.
 
The Cardinals will now have 48 hours to get ready for Howard Payne. The game against the Yellow Jackets will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center and can be heard live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.