Box Score KATY, Texas – Junior Davion Buster scored a team-high 17 points, but it was an Avery Sullivan free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining that handed Lamar University a 70-69 decision over Sam Houston Thursday to advance to the Southland Conference semifinals.
 
It marks the first time since the 2011-12 season that LU (10-17) has advanced to the Southland Conference semifinals.
 
The Cardinals recorded one of their best shooting nights of the season Thursday converting 27-of-53 (.509) attempts, including eight three-pointers. LU was shot nearly 60 percent from beyond the arc, a number that helped LU overcome a 38-25 difference on the glass.
 
The Bearkats finished the night shooting 46 percent from the field, including 10 three-point field goals. SHSU was led by 30 points from Zach Nutall.
 
"We beat a very good basketball team tonight," said LU head coach Tic Price. "Zach Nutall is an NBA-type player. We knew this was going to be a battle tonight. Fortunately, our guys continued to fight and made the hustle plays when we had to have them. Then Avery steps up and hits a clutch free throw – something he's done all year for us."
 
Both teams opened the first half on fire. Sam Houston was 12 of its first 24, and as impressive as that was it didn't compare to the Cardinals. Big Red converted 13 of their first 18 (.722) attempts through the first 13 minutes of action.
 
The Cardinals saw their lead grow to as many as nine after a David Muoka basket with less than five remaining in the half. Unfortunately, Sam Houston closed the half on a 14-5 run to send the teams into the locker room tied at 41.
 
Despite cooling off in the latter stages of the first half, LU still finished shooting better than 55 percent from the field (16-of-29). LU was led by 10 first-half points from Harrison and eight from Buster.
 
While LU outshot the third-seeded Bearkats through the game's first 20 minutes, Sam Houston had a definite advantage. The Bearkats outrebounded LU, 21-12, in the opening half – an advantage that led to a 12-4 difference in second chance points. Sam Houston was 17-of-36 (.472) from the field in the first half.
 
The Bearkats started second half quickly and took a three-point lead following a Nutall three-pointer.  Afer the Sam basket LU answered with a Harrison jumper and a Buster three to reclaim the lead. Following a Kopp three and a basket in traffic from Muoka, the Cardinals surged back in front by eight, 56-48, with 12:39 to play.
 
The Bearkats responded to the Cardinals lead with an 11-2 run to take a three-point advantage. After a timeout, LU didn't allow the tournament's No. 3 seed to stretch its advantage any further. The lead grew to as many as four before Buster hit a basket with 3:22 remaining.
 
The Cardinals reclaimed the lead and pushed it to five following a Buster free throw with less than minute to play, but SHSU had an answer rattling off five straight to tie the game with 19 seconds remaining.
 
The Cardinals got the ball and held it for the final shot. Buster got the ball to Kopp at the top of the key. Kopp drove the lane and dished it off to Sullivan on his left. The Pflugerville native spun to the basket and drew the foul with 1.8 seconds remaining. Sullivan knocked down the first to give the Cardinals a one-point advantage. The second shot fell short and Sam Houston got the rebound to attempt one final heave but it fell short.
 
LU will face No. 2 seed Abilene Christian Friday at 8 p.m. to advance to the conference finals. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+