Box Score ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Lamar University jumped to an early lead and never looked back defeating San Francisco, 4-2, to win the consolation bracket of the Mountain West Invitational Sunday afternoon on the campus of the University of New Mexico. It's the second consecutive win for the Cardinals who took 2-of-3 in New Mexico, and improved to 3-7 (.300) on the season.
 
"This was a big win for us as San Francisco is always a solid team," said LU head coach Scott Shankles. "The difference maker was early leads in both doubles and singles competition. Winning the doubles point was huge and I was very pleased on how we won it. That momentum carried over to singles play with us winning three first sets and holding those leads to finish it off."
 
The Cardinals had little trouble bouncing the Dons in doubles competition. LU was trailing in only one of the three matches, but it didn't matter because the Red and White picked up quick wins on courts one and three for the point.
 
Playing with confidence, the Cardinals turned to the bottom of their lineup to extend the advantage. Freshman Nicolas Mayr gave the Cards a 2-0 lead with his victory over Paul Giraud, 6-3, 6-3, on court No. 5. Classmate Carlos Paton Canal put the Cardinals one step closer to victory with his straight-sets winner on court No. 6. Canal ousted the Dons' Marco Barretto, 6-2, 6-3.
 
Trailing 3-0, the Dons attempted to rally picking up wins on courts two and three, but LU put an end to any thought of a comeback at the No. 4 position. Senior Logan Powell defeated USF's Ryan Marker, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) for the overall win.
 
"Logan did a fantastic job clinching the win for us," said Shankles. "Bottom three in our lineup came up huge today. This weekend will be very helpful going into league play Saturday."
 
The Cardinals open Southland Conference play Saturday against Abilene Christian. The match will begin at 10 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
   
Singles
1. Benny Schweizer (LU) vs. Johan Joenhagan (USF), 3-6, 6-4, 1-0, Unf.
2. Mert Zincirli (USF) def. Sebastian Santibanez (LU), 6-3, 6-2
3. Arthur Serafim (LU) def. Oliver Poysti (USF), 6-2, 7-5
4. Logan Powell (LU) def. Ryan Marker (USF), 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)
5. Nicolas Mayr (LU) def. Paul Giraud (USF), 6-3, 6-3
6. Carlos Paton Canal (LU) def. Marco Barretto (USF), 6-2, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Powell/Schweizer (LU) def. Zincirli/Joenhagan (USF), 6-2
2. Giraud/Poysti (USF) vs. Santibanez/Serafim (LU), 5-4, Unf.
3. Mayr/Stepanov (LU) def. Marker/Barretto (USF), 6-3