NATCHITOCHES, La. – Freshman Nate Calmese scored 20 points to lead Lamar University as the Cardinals battled back from a 17-point second-half deficit only to see Northwestern State close on a run of its own to pick up the victory, 80-65. LU battled back to within a single possession midway through the half.
 
The Cardinals finished the game shooting 25-of-54 (.444) from the field, but just 3-of-11 (.273) from long range. LU was also 14-of-20 (.700) from the field and outrebounded Northwestern State by two, 30-28.
 
Calmese was joined in double figures by freshman Janko Bulajic's career-high 12 points. Chris Pryor and Terry Anderson each added nine points.
 
Northwestern State finished the day 33-of-57 (.579), including nine three-pointers, from the floor. It was their ability to knock down the three in the opening 20 minutes that allowed the Demons to stay in the game, when the contest resembled more of a track meet than a basketball game.
 
Demarcus Sharp led the Demons with 23 points, while Jalen Hampton added 19 points.
 
The game was more of a track meet early with one team scoring, and the other team racing down the court to answer. The Cardinals knocked down seven of their first 13 (.538), but the Demons answered LU every step of the way. NSU converted five of its first 10, including a 4-of-7 from three-point range.
 
In an opening 20 minutes that saw five lead changes and six ties, the Demons were able to create a little cushion in the latter stages of the half. After Calmese buried a three to pull the Cardinals within two (with 6:53 left in the half), the Demons responded with a 10-2 run to take a double-digit lead, 36-26, with less than five minutes.
 
Northwestern State pushed its lead to as many as 17 points before Calmese drove the lane and hit a layup at the buzzer to pull LU within 15, 45-30.
 
Bulajic sparked a 19-5 run with consecutive baskets to pull the Cards back within three, 52-49, with 12:49 remaining. The run actually ended on a Sharp baseline jumper with just over 14 minutes remaining, but the Cardinals answered with two Jason Thirdkill free throws.
 
The Cardinals managed again to cut the deficit down to four points, but the Demons had an answer taking advantage of a couple of unproductive LU possessions as the Demons were able to convert a three-ball and an alley-oop to push their lead back to 13 points with 3:05 remaining.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Thursday when they travel to Lake Charles, La., for the second time this season to face McNeese. It will be the third contest against the Cowboys. The game against McNeese will tip off at 7:30 p.m. from the Legacy Center.