STOCKTON, Calif. – After building an 18-point lead at the University of the Pacific Saturday afternoon, Lamar University dropped a one-point decision as the Tigers hit a basket with 14 seconds remaining to take a one-point victory, 77-76. Pacific led for a grand total of 34 seconds of game time but it was just enough to drop the Red and White to 2-2 on the season.
 
The Cardinals had another balanced attack Saturday with four players in double figures, led by sophomore Cody Pennebaker's 22 points and nine rebounds. The Minnesota native keyed an offense that shot 30-of-62 (.484) from the field but struggled to a 5-of-17 (.294) effort from long range. Lamar also had its toughest night of the season from the stripe converting 11-of-16 (.688) attempts.
 
Pennebaker – who was held scoreless in the win over UTSA – was joined in double figures by Adam Hamilton's 14 points (and 12 rebounds), Chris Pryor's 13 points and Jakevion Buckley's 10.
 
The Tigers shot nearly 54 percent from the field in the second half to close the game 27-of-56 (.482) from the field, but just six of those makes were of the three-point variety. Pacific also struggled from the stripe at times connecting on 17-of-28 attempts. UOP's Judson Martindale led a trio of Tigers in double-figures with 15 points.
 
The Cardinals claimed a three-rebound advantage on the glass, 32-29.
 
The Cardinals took an 18-point lead on a Pryor jumper with 4:37 remaining in the first half, but it didn't take long for Pacific to get the deficit back down to single digits following a Tan Yildizoglu three-pointer with less than two remaining in the half. The Tigers actually trimmed the deficit down to just two possessions before the Cardinals got a Pennebaker basket to push the lead back to eight heading into the locker room.
 
Big Red appeared to restore order when Pennebaker hit another basket less than three minutes into the half to give the Cardinals a 14-point second half advantage. But just like they had done in the first half, UOP mounted another rally.
 
The Tigers rattled off a 12-2 run to pull within four points with 13:28 to play. The Tigers managed to tie the game at 58 with 8:55 remaining, but Big Red had a response of its own. Lamar forged its way back in front by nine after a 14-5 run capped by a Buckley basket in the lane.
 
Still trailing by nine with less than four to play, the Tigers made one last run at the lead. UOP managed a 10-2 run to pull within one at the free throw line. After the Tigers called a timeout, they forced a turnover and managed to follow that up with a Moe Odum layup for what proved to be the gamewinner.
 
The Cardinals have to quickly put the heartbreak of Saturday's contest behind them as they prepare to head to Longwood for a three-day, four-team MTE tournament. The Cardinals will face Bethune-Cookman Friday, Nov. 24 (5 p.m.), followed by a Saturday game at Longwood (2 p.m.), before closing out the tournament Sunday (Nov. 26) against Delaware State (26^th).