BEAUMONT, Texas – Junior Terry Anderson scored 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead Lamar University to a 76-65 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
The victory moved the Cardinals (10-9/4-2 SLC) a game over .500 on the season and back into a tie for second place in the standings following Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's setback.
 
Anderson was one of three Cardinals in double figures. He was joined by Chris Pryor (18 points) who continued his hot streak, as well as 10 points from sophomore B.B. Knight.
 
As a team the Cardinals were 22-of-52 (.423) from the field, including five three-pointers, but they took advantage of their trips at the free throw line. Lamar went to the stripe 35 times Monday converting 27 attempts (.771). Lamar also held an advantage on the glass, 44-37.
 
The Lions, who fell to 7-11 overall and 1-4 in conference play, were 24-of-67 (.358) for the game but struggled to get anything going in the first half. A&M-Commerce went into the locker room converting just 8-of-30 (.267) attempts and just 2-of-17 (.118) from the stripe (the Lions managed 16 field goals – seven threes – in the final 20 minutes to keep it close).
 
Commerce also finished the game with three players in double-figures, led by Kalen Williams' 18 points.
 
Another key factor in the game came in the turnover category. While Commerce actually forced the Red and White into two more turnovers (12-10), Lamar did a solid job of not allowing the Lions to score off their miscues. LU converted Commerce's 10 turnovers into 16 points, while the Lions could manage just five points from LU's 12.
 
The Cardinals will look to turn Monday's victory into a win streak Saturday when the Southland's other Lions come to town. The contest against Southeastern Louisiana will begin at 6 p.m. from Neches Arena. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.