HOUSTON, Texas – Houston Christian's Marcus Green hit a three-pointer with one second on the clock to defeat Lamar University, 78-77, Saturday afternoon at Sharp Gym. The lead changed hands four times in the last four possessions as each team converted on its last two attempts. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, HCU closed the game with consecutive threes while Lamar got a layup and a three.
 
Senior Chris Pryor led the Cardinals with 18 points on 7-of-11 (.636) shooting, and he was one of two Cardinals in double figures (Cody Pennebaker – 15 points). Adam Hamilton just missed a double-double scoring nine points and pulling down eight rebounds.
 
As a team the Cardinals shot 33-of-71 (.465) from the field, but just 4-of-16 (.250) from three-point range. Lamar forced HCU into 18 turnovers which they converted into 25 points, while LU only the turned the ball over nine times.
 
HCU shot better than 50 percent from the field in the second half and finished the game 30-of-62 (.484) from field, including eight three-pointers. The Huskies also outrebounded LU, 42-33.
 
It was a close battle throughout as neither team could manage more than a five-point lead.
 
Lamar got out to a slow start (just one for its first six) but quickly flipped things around on the Huskies. After the slow start, the Cardinals knocked down six of their next 10. At the same time, HCU cooled off missing four of their next six attempts.
 
The Cardinals also found advantage on the defensive end of the floor forcing HCU into 11 turnovers which LU cashed in for 16 first-half points (Lamar only turned the ball over four times in the opening 20 minutes), but even with that Houston Christian managed to stay close.
 
The Cardinals took a three-point lead into the under four-minute media timeout but the Huskies broke the huddle and rattled off an 8-2 run to take a three-point lead with just over a minute remaining, and held a one one-point lead heading into the locker room.
 
Lamar opened the second half 5-of-15 from the field, while HCU started 7-of-13, but even LU was struggling from the field for short stretches they simply turned to their defense to gain an extra possession.
 
After a 6-0 run gave HCU a three-point lead, the Cardinals rattled off a 10-3 run to reclaim a four-point advantage which was Lamar's largest of the game. The game right down to the wire setting up the heroics of the final four possessions.
 
The Cardinals return to action Monday when they host Texas A&M-Commerce. The game against the Lions will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Neches Arena.