Box Score RUSTON, La. – Lamar University struggled out of the gate falling behind by 12 before getting on the scoreboard and Louisiana Tech never trailed defeating the Cardinals, 86-57, Saturday afternoon at the Thomas Assembly Center. The loss drops LU to 1-6 (.143) on the season. 

The Cardinals were unable to overcome a quick start by Louisiana Tech. Although the Cardinals' defense slowed down Tech in the second half the Bulldogs finished the game, 33-of-70 (.471) from the field, including seven three-pointers (five of which came in the first half). Tech also outrebounded the Cardinals, 49-35.

Louisiana Tech did a great deal of their damage in the paint with 46 of their points coming from the low post.

After struggling with turnovers in the games first three minutes, the Cardinals settled down and turned it over just nine times the rest of the way. Both teams ended the game with 12 turnovers.

LU finished the day going 20-of-61 (.328) from the field, but could only convert two three-point attempts, both of which came in the final 20 minutes of action.

Junior Davion Buster led the Cardinals with 12 points, while Amorie Archibald led the Tech effort with 14 points. 

Louisiana Tech jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead aided by three early LU turnovers. In addition to the three turnovers, the Cardinals missed their first six attempts, including their first three three-pointers. Tech built a 12-0 lead before the Cardinals got a basket from Quinlan Bennett to stop the run.  

After both teams alternated baskets, LU was back within 12 when Louisiana Tech went on an 8-2 run pushing their advantage to 17 points with 7:31 remaining in the half. Tech pushed their first-half lead to 27 before taking a 25-point into the locker room.

LU was never able to get into a rhythm in the opening half converting just 9-of-28 (.321) attempts, missing all eight of their three-point attempts. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field in the opening half, including a 5-of-11 (.455) effort from three-point land. Louisiana Tech also had the advantage on the glass outrebounding LU, 27-15.

After three early turnovers, the Cardinals finished the half with just seven, but the Bulldogs managed to score six points off the miscues.

The Cardinals came out of the locker room as a different team hitting four of their first five attempts, including their first three (from Buster), to open the half on a 10-3 run to trim the deficit back to 18 points. While LU started the second half on fire, the Bulldogs struggled hitting just two of their first seven attempts.

Unfortunately, Big Red was unable to sustain the run as Louisiana Tech began to settle down. The Bulldogs hit four of their next seven attempts to respond with their own 10-3 run to push the advantage back to 25 points. The Cardinals were unable to get any closer in the game's final minutes. 

The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when they travel to San Antonio, Texas, to take on former Southland Conference foe UTSA. The game against the Roadrunners will tip off at 6 p.m. from the Convocation Center.