BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University fell behind 2-0 early to Illinois-Chicago and was unable to overcome the deficit falling to the Flames, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Facility.
 
The loss drops the Cardinals to 9-9 on the season and 1-1 in Southland Conference play – UIC is an affiliate member of the league in men's tennis.
 
The Flames took an early 1-0 lead after winning matches on courts 3 and 2 doubles, respectively, for the first point of the match. Despite taking the point, the Flames had to rally to do so as the team of Max Amling and Filippo Salsini recorded a 6-3 decision over UIC's top doubles team to open doubles play.
 
After extending their lead to 2-0, Amling got the Cardinals on the scoreboard with a straight-sets victory at No. 1 singles. Amling ousted UIC's Pelle Strandberg, 6-4, 6-3, trimming the overall deficit to 2-1.
 
The Cardinals managed to tie match at 2 when Max Milic followed suit with a 6-3, 6-3, victory over Ammar Wazir at the No. 5 spot, but that would be as close as the Cardinals would get as the Flames took the remaining matches, including three-set victories on courts two and four.
 
Big Red returns to action Tuesday, April 4^th when they to travel to New Orleans to take on the Privateers. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m.