OREM, Utah – Junior Avery Sullivan recorded a double-double as Lamar University held off a late surge from Utah Valley to kick off the four-game road swing with a victory Thursday evening. The Cardinals moved to 4-1 (.800) on the season with a 74-68 victory over UVU in the UCCU Center.
 
Big Red shot 26-of-65 (.400) from the field, converting four three-pointers. The Cardinals were clutch from the free throw line converting 18-of-22 (.818) attempts. The Cardinals finished the night with 39 rebounds but were outrebounded by just two. Despite trailing on the glass, the Cardinals held a 17-8 advantage over their hosts in second chance points.
 
The Cardinals also gained a huge advantage in points off turnovers, despite the fact there wasn't a huge turnover disparity. The Cardinals turned the ball over 12 times, while forcing Utah Valley into 15. The Red and White ended the game with an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
UVU shot 22-of-58 (.379) from the field but managed to remain within in striking distance by converting eight three-pointers.
 
Sullivan guided the Cardinals' attack with 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Sullivan was one of five Cardinals to end the night in double figures. Senior T.J. Atwood added 13 points, while sophomore Davion Buster added 12 points. Senior V.J. Holmes and junior Ellis Jefferson each scored 11. Holmes also pulled down eight rebounds.
 
The Wolverines finished the game with five players in double figures led by 12 from Cavit Ege Havsa.
 
The Cardinals jumped out to a 6-0 lead to open the game before UVU got on the scoreboard. The early advantage for the Red and White came in large part to Sullivan's scoring four early points, and a basket from Ellis Jefferson making the second start of his LU career.
 
The Wolverines didn't take long to get their offense in gear. UVU responded to the Cards' opening run by rattling off one of their own. Sparked by a Cavit Havsa layup, the Wolverines went on a 17-2 run to take a nine-point lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the half. Their advantage would grow to as many as 10 before the Cardinals would settle down.
 
LU went back to work on the offensive end of the floor and after a Sullivan hook shot, the Cardinals trimmed the deficit down to just two points with 3:26 remaining in the half. The game remained close for the remainder of the half with LU drawing even at the 1:47 mark before the Wolverines took a 34-33 lead into the locker room.
 
After reclaiming the lead in the second half, the Cardinals went on a 10-3 LU run to take a 54-44 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Cardinals eventually pushed their advantage to as many as 12 points – their largest lead of the game – following an Atwood layup.
 
The Wolverines responded to the deficit by rattling off an 8-0 run over the next 1:45 to pull within four points. The 8-0 run would be UVU's longest sustained run of the half and the Cardinals defense stiffened keeping their hosts at arm's length for the rest of the night.
 
After a Sullivan free throw, the Cardinals got a stop and Sullivan followed up a Buster miss with a tip-in to give LU an eight point advantage with 2:46 to play. UVU followed with a Havsa three-pointer and after a consecutive basket to cut the lead down to three, the Cardinals were forced to win the game at the free throw line. The Cardinals converted their final six free throw attempts, including four from Holmes, for the final score.
 
Things don't get any easier for the Red and White as the Cardinals will now travel to Lexington, Ky., for a Sunday showdown against Kentucky. The game against Wildcats will tip off at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Beaumont time) from Rupp Arena.