BEAUMONT, Texas – For an exhibition contest, the game was more of a nailbiter than Lamar University wanted but the Cardinals were victorious beating St. Thomas in overtime, 71-70, Wednesday evening at the Neches Arena.
 
After a slow start, Lamar rallied to shoot 25-of-61 (.410) from the field, a mark that included 10 three-pointers (.417). Big Red also managed to get to the free throw line 17 times Wednesday knocking down 11 attempts. The Cardinals also won the battle on the glass, 37-32.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals forced St. Thomas into 22 turnovers, which they cashed in for 24 points. LU gained a huge advantage from its depth as the Cardinals' bench outscored the UST reserves, 41-9.
 
The Cardinals ended the night with three players in double figures led by 16 points from Je'Sean Jackson, 15 from Adam Hamilton and 12 from Cody Pennebaker.
 
UST jumped out of the gates quickly building a 16-0 lead behind a non-stop air raid attack. The Celts went into halftime with 12 field goals, seven of which came from long range – shooting nearly 50 percent in the opening half.
 
UST offense was centered around Nick Anderson who led all scorers with 30 points, 10 of which came at the free throw line.
 
The 16-0 run to open the game was the first punch of the game but it was the wakeup call Lamar needed. After UST's quick start, the Cardinals turned up the defensive intensity to get back in the game. Trailing by 18, the Cardinals methodically began chipping away at the lead, pulling within two, 19-17, with just under nine minutes remaining in the half.
 
The Cardinals weren't satisfied with a 16-1 as they managed to grab a two-point lead with a couple of Errol White free throws with seconds remaining in the half. Unfortunately, UST would grab lead back right before intermission.
 
It was Big Red that opened the second half off quickly taking a one-point deficit and turning it into a six-point lead less than three minutes in. The Cardinals pushed their advantage to as many as seven with 6:23 remaining, but UST had an answer, an answer that was aided by Lamar fouls. The Cardinals put UST on the free throw line 18 times in the second half and the Celts converted 17 of them to eventually tie the game.
 
The contest would go to overtime and through 4:59.95 of the extra stanza we appeared headed for a second overtime but Lamar's Jackson was fouled attempting to shoot on an inbound pass with a half second on the clock. He hit his second free throw for the difference in the game.
 
The Cardinals will open the regular season Monday against Jarvis Christian. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. from Neches Arena.