LAKE CHARLES, La. – Lamar University junior Terry Anderson scored a team-high 16 points, but the Cardinals couldn't overcome 17 turnovers and a top-seeded McNeese squad that shot better than 50 percent from the field. McNeese advanced to Wednesday's Southland Conference Finals with a 76-57 victory at the Legacy Center.
 
Anderson was one of two Cardinals to score in double figures for an offense that shot 17-of-47 (.362) from the field, but nine of Lamar's 17 makes came from three-point range. Anderson was joined in double figures by JaSean Jackson who added 11.
 
McNeese started hot and never cooled off finishing the night 29-of-56 (.518). McNeese did the majority of its damage from the low post as they converted only 3-of-13 three-pointers, and outscored Lamar, 48-12 in paint points. McNeese was led by 27 points from Shahada Wells.
 
Turnovers played a key role in the game as Lamar turned the ball over 17 times which the Cowboys converted into 16 points. McNeese ended the night with six miscues and held a 17-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
The homestanding Cowboys took full advantage of LU's slow start. McNeese opened the game connecting on five of its first 10 attempts. McNeese built a nine-point advantage early and pushed that lead to double figures as the Cards opened the game just 4-of-13 from the field.
 
The Cowboys' lead was 16 when LU head coach Alvin Brooks inserted JaSean Jackson in the lineup and he caught fire immediately. Jackson knocked down three triples, along with one from Anderson, as Lamar trimmed the deficit back down to nine. Unfortunately, Lamar was unable to sustain the run as McNeese built the lead back to 15 points heading into the locker room.
 
Turnovers were an issue for Lamar in the first half as Big Red committed nine and only forced three, and McNeese gained a seven-point advantage in terms of points off the turnovers.
 
Trailing by 20 with less than 14 to play, the Cardinals got consecutive three-balls from Anderson and Pennebaker to cap a 13-4 run to pull Lamar within 11, 56-45, with 9:26 remaining in the contest breathing life into the Cardinal fans who made the trip over from Beaumont. Unfortunately, the run didn't last as McNeese managed to get the lead back to 20 with 6:27 to play.  
 
The Cardinals closed the year with 19 wins and having returned to the postseason for the first time since the 2020-21 season. More importantly, the Cardinals return the heart of their roster for next year with just one senior on the 2023-24 roster.