BEAUMONT, Texas – Junior Rob Lee, Jr., was the lone Cardinal in double figures scoring 15 points as Lamar University dropped a 57-49 decision to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday evening in the Southland Conference opener for both teams. The loss drops Lamar to 5-3 on the season and 0-1 in Southland Conference play.
 
The Cardinals shot just 19-of-51 (.373) from the field and less than 32 percent from long range. A&M-Corpus Christi struggled from the field in the opening 20 minutes (8-of-28/.286) but managed to find the mark in the second knocking nearly 65 percent of its shots.
 
Both teams did a solid job of holding onto the basketball. Lamar turned it over just 11 times, while forcing the Islanders into 13 miscues. Unfortunately, A&M-Corpus Christi walked away with a five-point advanatage in points off turnovers, 16-11.
 
Trailing by three with 14 minutes to go in the game, Lamar rattled off a 10-0 run to claim a seven-point lead, 42-35, with just less than 10 to play. The Cardinals appeared to be in complete control but A&M-Corpus Christi had an answer. Sparked by an 18-point effort from Nicholas Shogbonyo, the Islanders rattled off a 19-4 run to build an eight-point lead with 2:20 remaining. The Cardinals never managed to find the answer late.
 
In an odd quirk to the schedule, the Cardinals now head west for another non-conference contest. Big Red will square off against San Diego State Wednesday at 7 p.m. (9 p.m. Central) from the Viejas Arena.