BEAUMONT, Texas – Six Cardinals scored in double figures, led by a team-high 20 from junior Terry Anderson, as Lamar University defeated UTSA, 90-82, Tuesday evening at the Montagne Center.
 
The 90 points Lamar (2-1) ended the game with was nowhere on the radar early as the Cards started the game cold from the field but overcame the slow start to shoot 35 percent from the field (28-of-80), including 11 three-pointers. The Cardinals also took advantage of their free throws in the second half – knocking down 15-of-17 – which helped prevent UTSA from making any sustained runs at the Cardinals once they got the lead.
 
Joining Anderson in double figures were senior Adam Hamilton and sophomore B.B. Knight with 16, junior Je'Sean Jackson with 12, senior Chris Pryor with 11 – all in the second half – and junior Jakevion Buckley with 10.
 
While both teams did a good job of holding onto the basketball, UTSA missed some would-be clutch free throws in the final 20 minutes to go along with the fact they struggled from long range down the stretch hitting just three of their final 14 three-point attempts.
 
Early on it appeared there was a lid on the Cardinals' basket, but LU worked through the cold start to pull within two, 19-18, after a small 9-2 run. After a Hamilton free throw pulled the Cardinals even with 9:08 remaining, that set the tone for the rest of the game.
 
The Cardinals closed the half with a basket at the buzzer in the form of a Jackson halfcourt shot. UTSA was unable to score on what appeared to be the last shot of the half. The Roadrunners took a timeout to set up their defense but LU used the timeout to draw up a play for one final heave which worked to perfection as the Cardinals took a two-point lead into the locker room.
 
Neither team could gain more than a two-possession lead for the rest of the night. The Cardinals had two six-point leads in the opening half – both coming on consecutive Knight three-pointers. The Cardinals also built a small cushion coming out of the under eight media timeout when Pryor hit a step back three which was part of a 8-0 run to give LU back the lead.
 
The Roadrunners would get the lead only one other time following a basket in the paint from Trey Edmonds with just over four minutes remaining, but that was quickly wiped out following a Buckley three-pointer moments later.  The Cardinals never trailed after that extending their lead at the free throw line down the stretch.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday, Nov. 18 when they travel to Stockton, Calif., to take on the University of the Pacific. The game will tip off at 4 p.m. (Beaumont time) and will be televised on ESPN+.