BEAUMONT, Texas – Trailing by as many as 12 in the first half, Lamar University rattled off an 18-6 run late in the second half to rally for a 10-point victory over UL Lafayette, 65-55, Wednesday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. The victory moves Lamar to 5-2 (.714) overall as Big Red prepares for the Southland Conference opener Saturday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
It was a tale of two completely different halves for Lamar who was just 10-of-29 (.345) from the field with no three-pointers at halftime. The Cardinals flipped the script on ULL in the second half shooting nearly 60 percent from the field on 14-of-24 attempts (.583). The Ragin' Cajuns were held to an 8-of-23 (.348) effort in the second after converting nearly 50 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes. Nine of UL Lafayette's makes came from the long range.
 
Sophomore Braden East led the Cardinals with another double-double – 24 points and 12 rebounds – but it was the defense of senior Cody Pennebaker that derailed the Ragin' Cajuns (1-7). Pennebaker netted 10 points on the night and recorded six steals most of which led to fast break points on the other end of the floor.
 
In addition to East and Pennebaker, senior Andrew Holifield scored 13 points, pulled down five rebounds and blocked a team-high three shots, while junior Rob Lee, Jr. added 10 points and dished out five assists.
 
Things were uncomfortable early as UL Lafayette went on a 13-0 run, which was extended to a 16-2 stretch, to build a 11-point lead with 8:18 remaining in the opening half. The Cardinals rattled off an 11-3 run late in the half to move to within three, 25-22, with 2:04 before intermission. Lamar managed to pull back even before the Ragin' Cajuns grabbed a two-point lead heading into halftime.
 
With in the first four minutes of the second half, ULL had pushed its lead back to eight but that is when Pennebaker and the Cardinals began to turn up the pressure defensively. The Cardinals tied the game at 42 on a dunk from East with just under 12 to play. Moments later LU grabbed its first lead of the half on a Holifield free throw.
 
The free throw was the starting point for a 20-7 run that saw Lamar build a double-digit lead and then fend off ULL for the rest of the night. The Cardinals lead grew to as many as 13 before the final tally.
 
Big Red now turns its attention to the start of Southland Conference play Saturday when it hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The game against the Islanders is set for a 6 p.m. tip off from the Neches Arena.