BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University had five players scoring double figures – led by Adam Hamilton's 18 points and 12 rebounds – and the Cardinals shot nearly 60 percent in the second half to post a 90-70 victory in their Southland Conference opener Saturday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
Hamilton's double-double led a Cardinals offense that shot 31-of-61 (.508) from the field, including seven three-pointers. Big Red also took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line converting 21-of-28 (.750). Hamilton was joined in double-figures by B.B. Knight (16), Terry Anderson (15), Chris Pryor (12) and Ja'Sean Jackson (10).
 
In addition to Pryor's 12 points, he just missed a double-double with seven assists.
 
The Cardinals were also dominant on the boards for a second-straight outing ending the night with a 42-28 rebound advantage including 14 offensive rebounds. Among Hamilton's 12 rebounds seven came on the offensive glass.
 
Lamar also held advantages over NSU in points off turnovers (28-15), points in the paint (44-20), and fast break points (21-15). The only advantage Northwestern managed to gain came in bench scoring where they ended the game with a three-point edge.
 
After a sizzling first half, the Demons came back to reality in the second – due in large part to a stifling Lamar defense that attacked the glass and forced 19 turnovers. Northwestern State finished the game with a 22-of-48 (.458) effort from the field but did knock down 10 three-pointers.
 
The Demons led by as many as eight late in the first half before the Cardinals utilized a late half surge to force their way back in front. Big Red closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a six-point lead, 39-33, into the locker room and never looked back. Lamar outscored Northwestern State by 14 points, and led by as many as 24, in the final 20 minutes before the game ended.
 
The Cardinals (7-7/1-0 SLC) will look to go to 2-0 in conference play Monday when they return to action to host UIW. The game against the Southland's other Cardinals will tip off at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.