NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Senior Ja'Sean Jackson was one of three Lamar University players to score in double figures as the Cardinals (13-9/8-3 SLC) held off a late surge to defeat Stephen F. Austin, 67-62, Saturday afternoon at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
 
The win avenges an earlier loss to SFA in Beaumont and keeps the Cardinals in no worse than a tie for second place in the conference standings when the rest of the league games for the day play out.
 
Joining Jackson in double figures was classmate Adam Hamilton with 11 points and Danquez Dawsey (who got the start) with 10. The Cardinals finished the day shooting 24-of-56 (.429) from the field including a 6-of-15 (.400) effort from long range.
 
SFA ended the day 25-of-60 (.417) from the field, including four threes. SFA outrebounded the Cardinals but only by two, 37-35.
 
Lamar opened the game knocking down seven of their first 11 attempts, with two of those being threes, to take an early lead. The Cardinals raced out to a nine-point advantage, 26-17, with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half behind strong defense and consistent offense. Big Red converted nearly 46 percent of its attempts in the opening 13 minutes, while holding SFA to a 7-of-21 (.333) clip during that same stretch.
 
Lamar got a three-pointer from Holifield with seconds remaining in the half to give the Red and White a 17-point lead, 41-24, heading into the locker room. LU finished the half shooting 17-of-34 (.500) from the field with four of those coming from long range. The Cardinals also won the battle on the boards in the opening 20 minutes, 21-16.
 
SFA finished the first half, 10-of-29 (.345), with just one three-pointer. The Lumberjacks were also forced into 10 first-half turnovers which led to a 10-2 points on turnover advantage for the Cards.
 
The Lumberjacks opened the second half on an 8-2 run to pull within 10, 45-35, with 12 minutes remaining in the contest. LU put a stop to the run following Terrance Dixon, Jr. rebound which led to a fast break basket for Errol White.
 
SFA trimmed the deficit down to seven points but Dawsey slowed the Purple run with a three-pointer off a kick out from Andrew Holifield. Marmolejos made it an eight-point lead with a tough basket in traffic, but SFA answered with a three-pointer – its third of the half.
 
The Lumberjacks made another run pulling within a point following a Lamar turnover which led to a fast-break basket, but the Cardinals responded immediately on the next possession finding Alexis Marmolejos in the corner for a three to put Big Red back in front by four.
 
SFA managed to stay within in two possessions down the stretch, but the Cardinals managed to keep SFA at arm's length. Hamilton hit a free throw and Jackson added two to put the game away in the closing seconds.
 
Lamar returns to action Monday when they travel to Hammond, La., to take on Southeastern Louisiana. Monday's game is slated to tip off 6 p.m. from the University Center. The game will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.