OREM, Utah – Senior Lincoln Smith was the lone Cardinal in double figures Saturday afternoon as Lamar University dropped a 58-41 decision at Utah Valley. The Cardinals struggled to find their rhythm offensively in the opening half converting just 7-of-32 (.219) attempts to start the game.
 
The Cardinals (2-17/0-8 WAC) finished the day 17-of-61 (.279), a mark that included an 0-for-9 effort from long range, and a 7-for-16 (.417) mark from the free throw line. The Cardinals were also outrebounded, 43-34, by their hosts.
 
Big Red forced UVU into 20 turnovers but couldn't take advantage of the extra possessions. The Cardinals only gained a three-point advantage in points off turnovers, 15-12. LU turned it over just 10 times in 40 minutes of action.
 
The Wolverines had three players in double figures for an offense that shot 14-of-39 (.359), including just five three-pointers. For all the trouble LU faced offensively in the opening half, the Cardinals defense inflicted similar pain on Utah Valley in the second. The Wolverines converted just 5-of-17 (.294) opportunities in the final 20 minutes of the game.
 
UVU gained a huge advantage at the free throw line converting 25-of-30 attempts, while the Cardinals went to the stripe just 16 times in the contest.
 
The game was tied at 8-8, less than five minutes into the game when the Wolverines went on a run to push their lead to double figures. UVU took an 11-point lead on a basket from Fardaws Aimaq with 6:50 remaining in the half (14-3 UVU run). The lead would grow to as many as 19 before the Cardinals got back on the board with a layup from sophomore Kasan Harrison. LU trimmed the lead to 14 before the Wolverines closed the half with a bucket to take a 32-16 advantage into the locker room.
 
Utah Valley opened the second half by pushing its advantage back to 19 before the Red and White began to chip away at the deficit. The Cardinals rattled off a 9-0 run to trim the deficit down to 10 points with 10:31 remaining. Unfortunately, the Cardinals could get no closer as Utah Valley held on for the win.
 
The Cardinals return to action Wednesday when they host Tarleton State. The game against the Texans will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.