BEAUMONT, Texas – For the second straight game, Lamar University battles back from a double-digit deficit in the second half, but unlike Thursday night the Cardinals fell short Saturday dropping a 70-64 decision to UIW in the Montagne Center.
 
Trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, the Cardinals (6-14/2-5 Southland) came roaring back and actually tied the game with 2:27 remaining but could never get the go-ahead basket in the game's final moments.
 
Three Cardinals finished the night in double figures for an offense that shot 44 percent on the night, including a 16-of-25 (.640) effort in the second half.  Freshman Nate Calmese ended the night with a game-high 16 points, 11 of which came in the game's final five minutes. Calmese also hit the basket that tied the game late in the second half.
 
Calmese was joined in double figures by junior Chris Pryor (15) and freshman Cody Pennebaker (13).
 
LU's strong second half shooting the ball wasn't enough to overcome a 7-of-27 (.259) performance in the opening 20 minutes. The Cardinals also turned the ball over 11 times in the first half which led to 10 points off turnovers. Big Red finished the night with 21 turnovers which led to 20 points on the other end of the floor for UIW.
 
The good guy Cardinals managed to force their guests into nine miscues, but LU was held to just six points off the turnovers.
 
LU dominated the glass outrebounding UIW by 11, 43-32. Freshman Yuto Yamanouchi led Big Red with nine rebounds.
 
UIW was 26-of-63 (.413), led by 21 points from Davante Dennis and 19 from Jonathan Cisse.
 
The Cardinals return to action Thursday when they host Texas A&M-Commerce. The game against the Lions will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.