THIBODAUX, La. – Trailing by six points with 8:20 remaining senior Adam Hamilton drew an and-one situation, he couldn't convert but a tap out on the rebound to junior Alexis Marmolejos for a three gave Lamar University a five-point play which sparked a rally that led to a 78-74 victory. The win put an end to a small three-game slide for the Red and White as LU improves to 10-9 on the season and 5-3 in Southland Conference play.
 
It marks the second-straight year that Lamar has gone into Thibodaux to pick up a win as the Cards move into a tie for third-place in the Southland standings.
 
Five different Cardinals ended the day in double figures for an offense that shot 25-of-55 (.455) from the field including nine three-pointers (9-of-17/.529). Senior Ja'Sean Jackson led the way with 18 points and was clutch at the free throw line hitting eight of his 10 attempts. Jackson was joined in double figures by 12 points each from Cody Pennebaker, Marmolejos and Andrew Holifield while Hamilton added 10 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Cardinals also took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line converting 19-of-26 (.731) attempts.
 
Lamar limited Nicholls to 25-of-67 (.373) from the field which included seven three-pointers. Nicholls struggled for long stretches at the free throw and in the end it came back to haunt them. The Colonels were sent to the stripe more than LU but ended the day with 11 misses (17-of-28/.607).
 
The Colonels were led by 22 points from Jamal West, Jr., who fouled out of the game late as Nicholls was trying to put Lamar on the line.
 
Lamar started quickly hitting four of its first seven from the field, while Nicholls
Nicholls hit 3-of-9 but the Colonels would heat up. The Colonels would go on to hit four of its next five. The Cardinals never let up converting six of their first 10 (including 4-of-5 from long range) to build an early lead.
 
The Cardinals led by three when Nicholls went on a 6-0 run to claim a three-point advantage late in the half. The Colonels held the leading going into the break up by two, 37-35. The Cardinals finished the opening half 13-of-30 (.433) from the field and 5-of-11 (.455) from three-point range. Nicholls converted 12-of-30 (.400) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes with just three triples.
 
The Cardinals came out of the break and hit four of their first eight attempts to go on a 12-5 run to build a five-point lead. The Cards opened the half on a 7-0 but Nicholls responded. The hometown team rattled off an 11-0 run to reclaim the advantage (by six) heading into the under 12 media timeout.
 
Down six with less than 10 to play, Hamilton made a nice move in the paint to draw contact and score the basket. Hamilton was not able to convert the and-one but LU got the rebound which led to a three-pointer. The five-point play would be a key turning point in the game. While LU didn't claim the lead from the possession momentum had clearly swung in the Cards' favor. Moments later, Pennebaker buried a triple – his second of the game – to give LU back a two-point advantage with 5:32 remaining. Nicholls managed to tie the game on its next possession but the Cardinals responded and never relinquished lead. The Cardinals took care of business down the stretch hitting their free throws to eliminate any thoughts of a late Nicholls rally.
 
The Cardinals now return home to face East Texas A&M. The game against the Lions is slated for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.