HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston jumped out to an 8-0 start and Lamar University never found the answer to cool off a hot-shooting Bearkat squad as the Cardinals dropped a 90-70 decision at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Sunday evening.
 
Lamar (4-5) shot nearly 47 percent from the field in the second half and finished the game 25-of-65 (.385) from the floor, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 10-of-33 effort in the opening half. The Cardinals were 5-of-18 (.278) from three-point range.
 
Junior Adam Hamilton led three Cardinals in double figures with 13 points. Ja'Sean Jackson and Janko Bulijic each added 10 points.
 
Sam Houston was 27-of-51 (.529) from the field, including a 13-of-25 (.520) effort from long range. The Bearkats made it to the free throw line 27 times converting better than 85 percent of their attempts. The Bearkats were led by Lamar Wilkeron's 24 points.
 
Sam Houston got out to a quick start offensively forcing Lamar to try and dig itself out of an early hole. The Bearkats knocked down four of their first eight and building the 8-0 advantage before the Cardinals ended the run with a Hamilton layup at 17:18.
 
It was a temporary stop as Sam Houston would eventually push its lead to 10 points just moments later. The advantage moved to 12 before the Cardinals rallied to trim the deficit down to five on two B.B. Knight free throws. Unfortunately, the Bearkats responded with a 22-9 run and carried a 61-36 lead into the locker room.
 
Lamar's struggles continued through the half as Big Red managed just 10-of-33 (.303) from the field and a 3-of-11 (.273) effort from long range.
 
It was Sam Houston who found its rhythm early offensively and managed to prevent the Cardinals from making an extended run in the opening half of action. The Bearkats converted 18-of-33 (.545) from the field, including nine three-pointers.
 
Sam Houston also took a 10-rebound advantage on the glass – 25-15 – in the first half. The Bearkats outscored Lamar, 13-3, in second chance points.
 
Lamar opened the second half on a 6-0 run with all six points coming from Hamilton, but Sam Houston eventually settled down and pushed their advantage to 30 points. The Cardinals went on a 10-2 run late in the contest to pull within 15 but the clock became Lamar's biggest enemy as the Cards could get no closer.
 
The Cardinals return to action Thursday, Dec. 14^th, when they return Beaumont to host UL Monroe. The game against the Warhawks will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.