BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has built a name for itself this season as the Southland Conference's top offense, but it was a suffocating defensive presence that guided Lamar to a 75-59 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
The victory moves Lamar back over .500 on the season (8-7) and improves their conference mark to a perfect 2-0.
 
The homestanding Cardinals amped up the pressure from the opening tip forcing UIW into 13 first-half turnovers while holding their guests to a 6-of-25 (.240) effort from the field. UIW recorded a variety of miscues from bad passes to Lamar simply stealing the ball right out UIW's hands. Within the first three minutes of the contest, Lamar had forced a 10-second violation and a five-second call on an inbounds play. Lamar cashed in the mistakes for 13 points jumping out to an early 10-point lead.
 
While UIW's offense sputtered out of the gate, Lamar came out flying. The Cardinals took advantage of nearly every extra possession while also shooting 14-of-28 (.500) from the field, including a near perfect 5-of-6 from long range in the opening half.
 
About the only area not in Lamar's favor at the break was the battle on the glass where UIW held an 18-16 edge.
 
While Lamar's shooting dipped significantly in the second half, the outcome was never in doubt as Big Red saw its lead balloon to as many as 27 before the league's other Cardinals began to chip away late.
 
For the contest, Lamar – who never trailed in the game – shot 26-of-69 (.377) from the field while knocking down nine three-pointers. The good guys also took care of their opportunities at the free throw line knocking down 14-of-18 (.778) attempts, turned over UIW 18 times (which led to 19 points), and finished the game tied in rebounding, 41-41.
 
Sophomore B.B. Knight led the Cardinals with 19 points, on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while junior Adam Hamilton added 16 points, pulled down nine rebounds and blocked four shots. Sophomore Cody Pennebaker chipped in 11 with five rebounds.
 
After building a 10-point lead to open the game, San Antonio's version of the Cardinals responded by going on a 10-point run to tie the game with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first. Hamilton put a stop to the run with a putback on an offensive rebound. That basket sparked a 9-1 run which would serve as the knockout punch as UIW never responded.
 
The Cardinals will look to move to 3-0 Saturday when they travel to Thibodaux, La., to face Nicholls. The game against the Colonels will tip off at 3 p.m. from Stopher Gym.