MISSOULA, Mont. – Senior Andrew Holifield scored 15 points but Lamar University's bid for two wins in 24 hours came up just a bit short as the Cardinals dropped an 83-68 decision to Oakland on the final day of the Blaine Taylor Classic hosted by Montana.
 
The Cardinals (3-2) were unable to find the same consistency from Monday that helped propel them to victory. Lamar was 25-of-63 (.397) from the field Tuesday, but just 7-of-25 (.280) from long range.
 
It was the opposite for Oakland who shot better than 50 percent for the game (29-of-56) following a second half saw the Golden Grizzlies convert 63 percent of their attempts. Oakland's hot shooting allowed it to overcome a deficit on the glass, including Lamar holding a 16-11 advantage on the offensive boards.
 
The Golden Grizzlies did the majority of their damage in the paint where they held a 48-30 advantage over LU and a 24-6 advantage in fast break points. The Cardinals were uncharacteristically forced into five more turnovers than their opponent, 16-11.
 
Holifield was joined in double figures by Rob Lee, Jr. (13 points) an Errol White (11).
 
Lamar led by as many as six on a couple of occasions in the first half but the Golden Grizzlies went on a 14-1 run to build a seven-point lead with less than four to play in the half, and carried a three-point lead into the locker room.
 
The Cardinal tied the game on a Lee triple early in the second and took a one-point lead moments later on a Braden East free throw but Oakland went on a second-half run building a 12-point lead with less than nine to play and Lamar never managed to get closer than 11 after that.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they host Our Lady of the Lake. The game against the Saints is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena.