COMMERCE, Texas – Lamar University used an early second half run to create separation and never relinquished its lead defeating East Texas A&M, 65-55, Saturday afternoon at the Commerce Fieldhouse. The victory was also the 100^th career win for head coach Alvin Brooks.
 
The Cardinals finished the day 24-of-61 (.393) from the field with four three-pointers but it was LU's dominance on the glass that led the charge to victory. Big Red outrebounded ETAMU, 43-22, including 20 offensive boards which led to a 20-2 advantage in second chance points.
 
Junior Alexis Marmolejos led the Cardinals with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and was the only Cardinal in double figures, and one of only two players to score at least 10 on the day. Senior Errol White added four points and a game-high 10 rebounds as every Cardinal that entered the game pulled down at least one board.
 
ETAMU finished the day shooting 20-of-45 (.444) from the field including five triples. The Lions were led by Evan Phelps' 10 points.
 
Both teams started slow as the first point of the game didn't come until a Ja'Sean Jackson free throw with 17:23 remaining in the opening half. The first field goal of the game came on an Adam Hamilton slam nearly a minute later. Both teams opened 1-for-6 from the field but the Cardinals would heat up.
 
After ETAMU grabbed a 7-3 lead the Cardinals found Danquez Dawsey open for a three which sparked a 13-0 run that saw Lamar grab a 16-7 advantage. The scoring run eventually came to an end on a T.J. Thomas three moments later.
 
The Cardinals never surrendered the lead for the remainder of the half knocking down 13-of-34 (.382) attempts in the opening half. East Texas A&M outshot Big Red in the opening 20 minutes but the Cardinals dominance on the glass, 25-13, including 12 offense rebounds which led to 10 second chance points, and 13 points off eight Lions' turnovers in the opening half helped the Cardinals take a nine-point lead, 35-26, into the locker room.
 
Similar to the first half, Lamar got out to a slow start in the second but eventually heated up. After building their advantage up to 11 points, East Texas A&M rallied to trim the deficit down to five points, but the Cards responded with a 12-4 and would eventually get their advantage to 14 points, 51-37, with 11:34 remaining.
 
The Cardinals maintained their double-digit lead taking a 12-point lead into the under 8 media timeout but the Lions responded by scoring the game's next five points to trim the deficit down to single digits with less than six to play.
 
The Cardinals return to action Monday when they travel to Natchitoches, La., to face Northwestern State. The game against the Demons is set for a 6:30 p.m. tip off from Prather Coliseum.