BEAUMONT, Texas – Beaumont native Kasen Harrison scored a team-high 16 points, and Lumberton product Brock McClure recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but Lamar University converted just four second half field goals falling to Chicago State, 67-56, Saturday afternoon at the Montagne Center.
 
It was a tale of two halves for the Cardinals – the first half, which saw LU knock down nearly 50 percent of its shots and take a seven-point advantage into the locker room – and the second, which saw Big Red shoot 4-of-30 (.133) from the field and score just 15 points.
 
The Cardinals finished the night 19-of-61 (.311) from the floor and 6-of-19 (.316) from long range, numbers that both took a huge hit in the second half. The Red and White took advantage of their opportunities from the free throw line converting 12-of-13 (.923) attempts. LU got a huge lift from its bench outscoring the Cougar reserves, 30-16.
 
Chicago State got the advantage on the glass outrebounding LU, 40-30, despite the fact that LU pulled down three more offensive boards than their guests.
 
Brandon Betson (18 points) led a Cougars offense that shot 50 percent from the field, which included a 9-of-16 (.563) effort from three-point range. Betson was one of four Cougars to finish the day in double figures.
 
After Harrison hit a step back three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first half and give LU a seven-point lead – its largest of the contest – the Cardinals appeared to be in complete control heading into the locker room.
 
Unfortunately, the Cardinals' lead evaporated quickly in the second as CSU rattled off a 12-0 to open the final 20 minutes. Chicago State built a five-point advantage before LU responded with consecutive baskets but that would be as close as the Cardinals would get as the visitors pushed their lead to 10 with 6:22 remaining. The deficit grew to as many as 13 before the Cardinals were able to get it back to single digits.
 
The Cardinals (2-14/0-5 WAC) will now have another short turnaround as they prepare for Stephen F. Austin Monday evening. The game against the Lumberjacks, which was originally scheduled to be played on New Year's Day, will tip off at 6:30 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches, Texas. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.