Box Score STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Lamar University rattled off a 24-7 second half run to pull within two points, but Tarleton State hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on for an eight-point victory, 57-49, Saturday evening in Stephenville.
 
Freshman Brock McClure led LU with a double-double scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. McClure was joined in double figures by senior C.J. Roberts who scored 11 points for an offense that finished the night 19-of-43 (.442) from the field, including a 12-of-21 (.571) effort in the second half. Three of the Cardinals' four triples also came in the final 20 minutes.
 
Tarleton opened the game on fire but the second half was a different story. The Texans finished the night shooting 17-of-50 (.340) from the field, including seven three-pointers, but that number comes after shooting just 29 percent in the second half (with just two three-pointers in the final 20 minutes).
 
The saving grace for Tarleton came at the free throw line. The Texans had 19 opportunities from the stripe converting better than 83 percent of their chances.
 
The Cardinals won the battle on the boards outrebounding TSU, 32-30.
 
Tarleton opened the game on a 19-6 run after converted six of their first 10 attempts. After leading by just five, the Texans rattled off an 11-0 run to build their first half cushion. Sophomore Corey Nickerson put an end to the run with a layup at the 8:30 mark. The Texans held their advantage into the intermission.
 
Big Red finished the half shooting 7-of-22 (.318) from the field, including a 1-of-8 effort from long range. Despite their struggles offensively, the Cardinals didn't allow that to have an impact in terms of their efforts on the boards. LU finished the half leading Tarleton, 17-16, on the glass.
 
After a hot start, the Texans closed the half converting just four of their final 14 attempts. TSU went into the locker shooting 10-of-26 (.385) from the field and 5-of-11 (.455) from three-point range. The cooler trend continued in the second half.
 
After building their lead back to 15 points, Tarleton watched as LU began to chip away at the deficit. Big Red rattled off an 11-3 run to pull within six with 9:35 remaining. The Cardinals kept the pressure on their hosts pulling within two on a jumper from Roberts with 5:41 remaining. Roberts' basket capped a 25-7 run.
 
TSU temporarily stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Trailing by just three, the Cardinals forced a miss but Tahj Small grabbed the loose ball and fed a pass to Freddy Hicks for basket down low.
The five-point lead didn't last long as Roberts responded with a basket just 17 seconds later. He was fouled on the play but missed the and-one opportunity. The Cardinals were forced to put TSU on the line in the final minute of the game and the Texans hit their free throws to hold on for the victory.
 
The Cardinals will close out the regular season with a two-game homestand. LU kicks off that homestand Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game against UT Rio Grande Valley.