HOUSTON, Texas – Facing a team twice in back-to-back games is a tall task and Lamar University was unable to find the same magic it had in Thursday's victory, falling by the score of 93-74 at Sharp Gym. The loss prevented LU from winning consecutive games in a stretch that has seen the Red and White split their last six games.
 
The Cardinals (9-19/5-10 Southland) finished the game 27-of-60 (.409) from the field with three three-point field goals. LU went to the free throw line 23 times knocking down nearly 74 percent of their attempts. Freshman Nate Calmese led the Cardinals' attack with 23 points.
 
Big Red was outrebounded on the night, 42-34, but Lamar ended the night with more offensive rebounds (12-11).
 
HCU's Maks Klanjscek led Houston Christian with 33 points, as the hometown team shot 54 percent from the field (34-of-62), including eight three-pointers (seven of which came in the second half).  
 
The Huskies picked up where LU left off Thursday. Big Red closed the previous contest shooting better than 75 percent in second half, but it was HCU that opened Saturday's contest clicking on all cylinders. Houston Christian converted 10 of their first 13 attempts to build a seven-point lead midway through the first half.
 
Trailing by seven with 3:33 remaining in the half, the Cardinals lost freshman Brian Gordon who was ejected for a flagrant foul, but the Huskies were unable to take advantage missing both free throws. Lamar trimmed the deficit down to six before HCU took a nine-point lead into the locker room. After opening the contest five for their first 14, Lamar finished the half 11-of-32 (.344).
 
The Huskies cooled off considerably after their hot start shooting 14-of-31 (.452) from the field, but they struggled from long range. HCU converted just 1-of-12 three-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Big Red turned up the intensity early in the second half and managed to cut the deficit down to just four points, 44-40, following a Jason Thirdkill layup. Unfortunately, the Huskies responded to the layup by rattling off an 11-2 run to take a 13-point lead (55-42). The run would eventually extend to a 22-6 stretch that saw HCU build a 20-point advantage. After the run, Lamar was only able to get back within 17 has the Huskies held off Big Red in front of a packed house.
 
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Thursday when they return home to host Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.