LAKE CHARLES, La.  – Lamar University traveled across the border Saturday afternoon and ruined Senior Day for their rivals. The Cardinals raced out to a huge first-half lead and never looked back knocking off McNeese, 60-51, at Burton Coliseum to lock up a spot in next week's Southland Conference tournament in Katy.
 
The victory – LU's fourth consecutive to close out the season – improves the Cards to 8-17 overall and 6-10 in conference play. The loss drops McNeese to 10-13 overall and 4-10 in league action. In addition to the win streak, the victory also secured LU's third season sweep of a series over McNeese in the past four seasons.
 
Led behind 20 points from Davion Buster, the Cardinals shot 23-of-55 (.418) from the field, including a 9-of-18 (.500) effort on three-pointers. Buster was one of two Cardinals to finish in double figures as sophomore Anderson Kopp netted 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting.
 
McNeese shot 42 percent from the field and outrebounded LU by four, 34-30, but the Cowboys struggled from three-point range (4-of-14/.286). The Cowboys finished the day with three players in double figures led by 13 points from Carlos Rosario.
 
With Saturday's victory, the Cardinals have clinched a spot in the SLC Championship tournament, but due to other league games still being played, LU's seed and opening-round opponent is not yet know.
 
The conference tournament will tip off Tuesday from the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.