DALLAS, Texas – Two Cardinals finished in double figures Thursday evening, but Lamar University couldn't overcome a slow start offensively falling to SMU, 78-67, at Moody Coliseum. Despite the Cardinals slow start SMU was never able to completely run and hide.
 
Sophomore Cody Pennebaker scored a team-high 13 points while senior Chris Pryor added 10 points (on 4-of-7 shooting) for an offense that was 22-of-60 (.367) from the field and 8-of-20 (.400) from three-point range. The Cardinals also took full advantage of their opportunities at the stripe converting 15-of-16 (.938) attempts.
 
SMU outshot Lamar, but just barely converting 22-of-59 attempts (.373) with six three-point field goals. The difference in the scoreboard came at the free throw line where SMU converted 28 free throws – 12 more makes than Lamar was allowed to attempt.
 
The Mustangs also held a 47-35 advantage on the glass.
 
The Cardinals (1-1) opened the contest 3-of-17 from the field and SMU built an 18-5 advantage early. Despite Lamar's slow start, SMU could never take full advantage as the homestanding Mustangs built no greater than a 15-point lead in the opening 20 minutes. The Cardinals put an end to the Mustangs 10-1 run early in the second half with a Jakevion Buckley layup on a nice feed from Adam Hamilton. The Mustangs' 15-point advantage would be trimmed to 12 just before the intermission.
 
The Mustangs opened the second seeking the early knockout punch but it never materialized as it was Big Red who made two separate runs at SMU trimming the deficit down to single digits. The first run came less than five minutes into the second half. After SMU built a 15-point advantage, the Cardinals responded with three-pointers from Chris Pryor and B.B. Knight to spark and 8-0 run to pull the Cards within seven, 43-36, with just under 15 to play. After falling back down by 12, Pryor again dialed up a long-range jumper to get Big Red within three possessions just moments later.
 
With less than four minutes remaining and LU again down 12, the Red and White got another three-ball – this time from Pennebaker – to pull within nine, 70-61. While SMU could never shake the Cardinals, it was able to keep Lamar at arm's length down the stretch to escape with a win.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Tuesday when they return home to host UTSA. The game against the Roadrunners will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.