BEAUMONT, Texas – On a rare night when Lamar University's offense struggled, the Cardinals simply turned to their defense to help them overcome a double-digit deficit to defeat East Texas A&M (formerly Texas A&M-Commerce), 61-58 in overtime Saturday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
The Cardinals (11-9/6-3 Southland) overcame a 20-of-58 (.345) shooting performance, which saw the Red and White convert 7-of-20 (.350) attempts from long range by turning up the defensive pressure against the Lions. Despite their struggles from the field, the Cardinals still managed to outshoot ETAMU who ended the night just 19-of-56 (.339) from the field and 7-of-31 (.226) from three-point range.
 
Lamar netted just two field goals in overtime but that was two more makes than what the Lions could muster in the extra five minutes. Big Red held ETAMU to 0-4 in the overtime, and just 9-of-28 (.321) from the field in the game's final 25 minutes.
 
The Cardinals also outrebounded East Texas A&M by eight, 44-36, with 12 offensive rebounds, recorded 10 steals and forced 15 turnovers which led to 16 points. The Lions got a huge lift from their bench which outscored Lamar's reserves, 32-8.
 
The Cardinals were led by junior Alexis Marmolejos' 24 points. He was one of three Cardinals in triple digits along with 10 points each from Cody Pennebaker and Ja'Sean Jackson. Junior Andrew Holifield was limited to just two points but did pull down a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
The Cardinals trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but trimmed the deficit down to four, 27-23, by halftime. After the Lions had built that lead back to nine less than two minutes into the second half, Lamar rattled off a 10-0 run to claim their first lead of the night. While the lead would go back and forth for the remainder of regulation the Cardinals found themselves up by a point with 1:10 remaining but ETAMU would tie the game late at the free throw line and would get one final look at the basket but a Scooter Williams, Jr., three-pointer was blocked by Holifield to send us to overtime.
 
The overtime started in similar fashion to the game. Neither team scored in the first 1:32 of the extra stanza (both squads went scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the night). Marmolejos gave LU the lead at the free throw line. While ETAMU would tie the game once in overtime, the Cards never allowed their guests to regain the lead as Big Red held on for the win.
 
The Cardinals return to action Monday to host Northwestern State. The contest against the Demons is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from Neches Arena.