Box Score BEAUMONT, Texas – Senior Filippo Salsini played a huge role in helping Lamar University defeat Southern Mississippi, 4-3, Monday afternoon at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center. Salsini recorded the key victories in doubles and singles to push LU past the Golden Eagles.
 
After winning the first doubles match of the day on court 3, the Cardinals needed just one of the final two remaining matches to snag the doubles point. With the Cardinals down a game on court 2, the duo of Salsini and sophomore Max Amling stepped up in a clutch situation. LU's duo recorded a 6-3 victory over the Golden Eagles' Antoine Audrain and Dakotah Bobo to take a 1-0 lead heading into singles – halting the match on court 2 before it could finish.
 
Unfortunately for Lamar, the Golden Eagles responded taking wins on courts 1 and 4 to take their first lead of the day. Junior Brandon Do stopped Southern Miss' run when he ousted Saheb Sodhi in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
 
The Golden Eagles once again had an answer coming in the form of Olimjon Nabiev at No. 3 singles. With Southern Miss' victory on court three, Lamar was now faced with having to win the matches on the final two courts for the overall victory, and Big Red delivered.
 
First, freshman Max Milic powered his way through a tiebreak in his opening set to take an early lead over USM's Pawin Jirapoomdaje, 7-6 (7-4). After taking the opening set, Milic left no doubt taking the second, 6-3, to tie the overall match at 3.
 
With things all tied up, the pressure rested on Salsini's shoulders, and he proved the moment was not too big. Battling back from an opening-set loss (7-5), Salsini responded with consecutive 6-4 decisions in the final two sets to lock up an individual and team win for the Cards.
 
Big Red returns to action Saturday when they host Rice at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Complex. The match against the Owls is slated to begin at 11 a.m.