BEAUMONT, Texas – Sophomore B.B. Knight led five Cardinals in double-figures as Lamar University made a triumphant return home defeating UL Monroe, 97-73, Thursday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
Knight's 19 points paced an offense that shot better than 52 percent from the field, including an 11-of-25 (.440) performance from long range. The Cardinals also took advantage of their attempts from the free throw line converting 24-of-29.
 
The few times Lamar was off target shooting they simply outworked the Warhawks on the glass holding a 39-28 rebound advantage.
 
Joining Knight in double figures for Lamar was Chris Pryor with 15 points, Adam Hamilton added 14 and Ja'Sean Jackson and Jakevion Buckley each scored 11. In addition to Pryor's 15 points, he pulled down eight rebounds and dished out six assists.
 
The Warhawks had four players in double figures led by Savion Gallion's 17 points. ULM was 25-of-57 (.439) from the field, an effort that included eight three-pointers. The Warhawks were forced into 11 turnovers on the night which Lamar converted into 17 free points.
 
The game started quick for LU as the Cards took a 10 lead to tie the game. It appeared Lamar was off to the races early but the visitors from Monroe would respond. ULM rattled off an 11-1 run to tie the game with 14:59 in the first half and would even take a two-point lead before the Cardinals restored order.
 
Sophomore Janko Bulijic got the basket in the paint to pull Lamar back even, and the Cardinals went back to work over the remainder of the half trying to rebuild their double-digit lead. LU managed a nine-point lead, 31-22, with just under eight minutes remaining in the half, but again the Warhawks responded pulling within three just 60 seconds later.
 
The remainder of that half followed the same script – Lamar would shove, and ULM would answer. The Cardinals found themselves with a 13-point advantage with less than four to play only to see UL Monroe trim the deficit down to two possessions with 77 seconds remaining, but the Cardinals went into the locker room with the momentum scoring the final four points earning back their 10-point lead, 47-37.
 
The second half started the way the first ended. After the Cardinals built a 15-point advantage ULM quickly got the game back to single digits moments later. After ULM pulled to within seven, the Cardinals made a run that effectively knocking the wind out of their guests.
 
The Cardinals scored eight of the next 10 points to take a 14-point lead. After trading baskets over the next few possessions, the Cardinals then scored 11 of the next 13 point for their first 20-point lead of the night and never looked back. The lead ballooned to as many as 31 points in the second half before the final horn sounded.
 
The Cardinals will look to make it two in a row when they host a very tough Southern Mississippi squad Monday evening. The game against the Golden Eagles will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Neches Arena. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.