LAFAYETTE, La. – Renewing a rivalry not played since 2013, Lamar University went on the road and flexed its muscle at UL Lafayette defeating the Ragin' Cajuns, 74-45, Saturday afternoon at the Cajundome. The 45 points scored by ULL are the fewest surrendered by Lamar in series history.
 
After opening 2-of-7 from the field, the Cardinals eventually caught fire and never cooled off. Lamar was 30-of-58 (.517) from the field and shot nearly 47 percent from long range. The Cardinals finished the game with four players in double figures led by 17 from Andrew Holifield. The Beaumont junior was joined in double figures by Janko Bulajic (12 which ties a career high), 11 from Alexis Marmolejos and 10 from Adam Hamilton.
 
Even more impressive than Big Red's offense was the effort on the defensive end of the floor. LU held the Ragin' Cajuns to less than 27 percent from the field, less than 29 percent from three-point range, blocked eight shots (four in the game's first four minutes) and outrebounded ULL, 45-30.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns ended the day with just two players in double figures led by Kyndall Davis' 11.
 
Neither team shot the ball well to start them game as Lamar converted just two of its first seven but the Ragin' Cajuns couldn't take advantage. Big Red limited ULL to just one of its first six. The Cardinals would eventually heat up coming out of a called timeout to knock down four of their next five while the Ragin' Cajuns continued to struggle (2-for-13 start).
 
Lamar's defense made things incredibly tough on UL Lafayette in the early going blocking four shots in the first four minutes of the game and outrebounding the Ragin' Cajuns by nine.
 
The Cardinals rattled off a 15-3 run late in the first half, sparked by three Hamilton field goals to push its advantage to double digits and held that lead headed into the locker room. The Cardinals shot nearly 47 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes to take a 33-22 lead into half time. Big Red held UL Lafayette to less than 26 percent from the field during that same timeframe.
 
The intermission didn't hurt Big Red as they went on a 13-0 run midway through the second to push the advantage beyond 20 points. It was a lead that UL Lafayette would recover from. After Lamar got to the advantage to 20 points the home team could get no closer than 23 as the Cardinals move to 5-5 (.500) on the season.
 
 
Unfortunately, Lamar has no time to celebrate as they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., Tuesday to take on Southern Mississippi. The game against the Golden Eagles will tip off at 7 p.m. from Reed Green Coliseum.