NEW ORLEANS, Texas – Freshman Nate Calmese scored a game-high 27 points, but Lamar University dropped an 81-55 decision at New Orleans Thursday evening at Lakefront Arena. The loss drops LU to 4-11 overall and 0-2 in Southland Conference play.
 
Calmese was one of two Cardinals to score in double figures (Yuto Yamanouchi – 12) Thursday to lead an offense that shot 22-of-64 (.344) from the field, including five three-pointers.
 
It was the sixth time this season that Calmese has scored at least 20 points in a game.
 
New Orleans was 27-of-57 (.474) from the field, including an 8-of-27 (.296) performance from three-point range. The Privateers were put on the line 23 times and the home team converted 18 attempts (.826). UNO also outrebounded the Cardinals, 42-37.
 
The Cardinals took the fight to UNO right out of the gate. After knocking down two of their first three three-pointers (Pennebaker and Yamanouchi), the Cardinals took an 8-5 lead at first media timeout.
 
Big Red continued its hot start after the timeout converting six of their first 10 attempts to take a 14-10 advantage. While the Cardinals started quick the Privateers were just two for their first nine. Unfortunately, UNO responded to the Cardinals' four-point lead by rattling off the next five points.
 
After reclaiming a one-point lead, the Privateers never allowed LU to get back in front take a lead into the locker room.
 
After the quick start from long range, the Cardinals went just 1-of-7 for the remainder of the half. UNO seized on the opportunity closing the half on a 15-7 run to take an eight-point lead into the locker room, 37-29.
 
The Cardinals finished the half 13-of-32 (.406) led by 13 points from Calmese. UNO closed the half converting 11 of its final 18 attempts to close the opening stanza shooting .481 from the field, with five triples.
 
The Privateers also held a 20-16 advantage on the glass heading into the locker room.
 
Neither team got out to a quick start in the second half, but UNO saw its lead grow to 11 points early in the frame. Unfortunately, the Cardinals never found their rhythm in the second converting just six of their first 21 attempts (.286) through the first 12 minutes. In that time, the Privateers managed to push the lead to double figures, 60-46.
 
The Privateers went on a run late in the contest to extend their lead – a final score which was not indicative of how close the game was.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Hammond, La., to take on Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions will tip off at 3:30 p.m. from the Montagne Center.