Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Senior Lincoln Smith netted a career-high 20 points to lead Lamar University, but the Cardinals fell to Sam Houston, 75-64, in the Western Athletics Conference opener Thursday evening at the Johnson Coliseum. The shorthanded Cardinals (playing with only eight available players), never backed down from overwhelming odds holding a lead with less than eight minutes remaining and were locked in a tie with less than five, saw the Bearkats escape with a win after hitting four three-pointers in the game's final 4:27.
 
Smith's career effort led a Cardinals' attack that shot 28-of-52 (.538) from the field and 5-of-7 (.714) from the free throw line. The Cardinals also outrebounded Sam Houston, 32-24, including 10 offensive boards.
 
Unfortunately, Sam Houston closed the game on fire and finished the night, 28-of-55 (.509) including 11 makes from long range. Sam Houston also took advantage of 19 LU turnovers which they cashed in for 29 points (13 of LU's miscues came in the second half).
 
Smith was one of four Cardinals in double figures as C.J. Roberts scored 12 points, while Corey Nickerson and Brock McClure each added 10.
 
Leading by a point early, Roberts buried a three to give LU a four-point advantage which unfortunately woke up Sam Houston. The Bearkats responded by scoring the next five points. 
 
After Sam Houston's small run, the shorthanded Cardinals settled down hitting six of their first 12 attempts from the field. In fact, both teams were 6-of-12 from the field eight minutes into the half. 
 
The contest remained close for the remainder of the half as neither team could build more than a three-point advantage. The opening half consisted of six ties and eight lead changes, as the Cardinals went into locker room shooting 50 percent from the field (16-of-32) with a 2-of-6 (.333) effort on threes. LU also outrebounded Sam Houston, 18-13, in the opening 20 minutes which led to a 9-2 advantage in second chance points. 
 
The Bearkats went into the locker room also converting 50 percent of their attempts (13-of-26) including four triples. Both teams held on to the ball in the first half with a total of 10 combined turnovers, but SHSU took advantage of LU's six miscues scoring 10 points (LU had just two points from the Kats' four first-half mistakes).
 
The Kats grabbed a five-point lead following a Flagg three midway through the second half, but LU came right back with Smith basket in traffic. The Smith layup sparked a 10-2 run that saw LU take a three-point lead capped by a McClure floater in the paint to give LU a three-point lead, 46-43. The Cardinals pushed their lead to five following a layup from Ellis Jefferson moments later. LU continued to lead by five with just under 10 minutes remaining when SHSU got consecutive threes to reclaim a one-point lead. Fortunately, the Cardinals responded with a Jefferson and-one on the other end of the floor.
 
The next couple possessions saw both teams trade baskets until consecutive turnovers led to a Sam Houston three. Not backing down, the Cardinals answered with a Ledet triple to tie the game at 58. The trading of baskets continued as the Cardinals upped their shooting percentage to better than 55 percent with less than four minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Bearkats closed the game with four triples down the stretch to extend their lead and hold on for the win. 
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks will tip off at 2 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.