SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Freshman Kasen Harrison scored a game-high 18 points – on 8-of-11 (.727) shooting – to lead Lamar University to a 67-45 victory over UIW Wednesday evening at the McDermott Center. The loss was Big Red's most lopsided victory of the season and put an end to a six-game slide in conference play.
 
The Cardinals finished the night shooting 27-of-49 (.551) from the field, including a 6-of-10 (.600) effort from three-point range. Sophomore Anderson Kopp led LU's long-range attack shooting a near-perfect 4-of-5 (.800) from three-point range. He finished the game with 14 points.
 
The Cardinals were also a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line, while outrebounding their hosts, 34-20. The Red and White also forced UIW into 11 turnovers on the night which they cashed in for 15 points.
 
The hometown Cardinals were held to a 16-of-47 (.340) effort on the night, and only managed to keep the game as close as it was due to their ability to hit the three (7-of-17/.412). UIW was led by Keaston Willis' 15 points but he was the only UIW Cardinal in double figures.
 
Big Red's defense was so effective Wednesday they didn't allow UIW to score 30 points in either half (21-24).
 
After falling behind 6-2 to start the game, the Cardinals rattled off a 24-7 run to take a commanding 26-13 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining in the opening half. Sparked by two Anderson Kopp triples, LU watched its lead grow to 17, 30-13, moments later. The Southland's other Cardinals had no answer as Big Red carried a 17-point lead, 38-21, into the locker room.
 
The Cardinals finished the half with one of their strongest shooting performances of the season. LU converted 16-of-26 (.615) attempts, including a 3-of-6 (.500) effort on threes. The Cardinals were also dominant on the glass outrebounding their hosts, 20-8, in the game's first 20 minutes.
 
LU's defense was just as effective holding UIW to a 6-of-24 (.250) first half effort – despite a 4-of-9 (.444) performance on three-pointers.  
 
After opening the second half with a Willis' triple, followed by a stop and a Godsgift Ezedinma layup, UIW trimmed the lead down to 12 points less than two minutes into the half, but LU head coach Tic Price called a timeout and settled down the troops. The TO was timed perfectly as LU came out of the huddle and got an Avery Sullivan basket. UIW never managed to get the lead trimmed down to single-digits in the final 20 minutes as the Cardinals saw their lead climb to as many as 22.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Saturday when they return home to host Stephen F. Austin. The game against the Lumberjacks will tip off at 4:30 p.m. from the Montagne Center.