SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Junior Rob Lee, Jr. led all players with 21 points (on 5-of-10 shooting from long range) – his third game of at least 20 points this season – but Lamar was unable to bounce back from an early second half San Diego State run. The Aztecs defeated Lamar, 89-71, Wednesday at the Viejas Arena.
 
Lee was one of four Cardinals in double figures for an offense that was 21-of-58 (.362) from the field, with two-thirds of their makes coming from three-point range (14-of-35/.400). That wasn't enough to slow down a San Diego State squad that shot 29-of-60 (.483) from the field, including eight three-pointers, and converted nearly 56 percent of their attempts in the second half.
 
The Aztecs also held the advantage on the glass, 40-30, including 12 offensive boards but ended the night with just a three-point advantage in second chance points.
 
Lee was joined in double figures by junior B.B. Knight (12), senior Andrew Holifield (11) and junior King-Njhsanni Wilhite (10).
 
Both teams struggled with their handles early in the game combining for five turnovers in the first 52 seconds of action. The Cardinals started slow offensively converting just one of their first five attempts, but LU would begin to heat up from long range.
 
Lamar took a lead on two early free throws to start the scoring but SDSU responded with a five consecutive points. Moments later junior B.B. Knight put Lamar back in front with a three followed by a Holifield triple just 39 seconds later to claim a three-point lead. It was one of 10 three-pointers for the Red and White in the opening 20 minutes as four different players buried a three.
 
Unfortunately, the Cardinals' hot shooting from long range (10 of LU's 12 first-half field goals were threes) couldn't overcome SDSU's advantage the glass. The Aztecs held a 22-16 edge in rebounds, including eight offensive boards, which gave the home team a 10-2 lead in second chance. The Aztecs carried that momentum into the locker room to the tune of a 10-point halftime lead.
 
Unfortunately, San Diego State opened the second half on a 10-0 run and Lamar could get no closer than 12 in the game's final 20 minutes.
 
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when they host UT Rio Grande Valley in Southland Conference play. The game against the Vaqueros will tip off at 6 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.