HOUSTON, Texas – Senior Ja'Sean Jackson scored a team-high 17 points, and Lamar University shot nearly 70 percent in the second half, as the Cardinals defeated Houston Christian, 66-58, Saturday afternoon at Sharp Gym. The win, just Lamar's third all-time at HCU, keeps Lamar alone in second place of the Southland standings with three games remaining (18-10/13-4 SLC). The victory also gave the Cardinals their first 13-win season (in conference play) since 2007-08.
 
Jackson was one of two Cardinals to strike for double digits (Adam Hamilton – 11) as Lamar shot 26-of-53 (.491) from the field including a 50-percent effort from three-point range (8-16). The Cardinals outrebounded their hosts 37-28, which included a 15-8 advantage in the final 20 minutes.
 
While the Cardinals were off and flying offensively, HCU was struggling to the tune of 18-of-51 (.353) but the Huskies did convert seven three-pointers. Houston Christian ended the night with three players in double figures led by 18 from Julian Mackey and Bryson Dawkins.
 
Lamar started slow knocking down just two of its first nine attempts but would quickly heat up. After trailing, 10-5, the Cardinals went on a 17-4 run to build a nine-point lead, 22-13, with just over eight minutes remaining in the half. The Cardinals run ended with a Porter Bazil tip in at the 7:02 mark.
 
The Bazil basket sparked a 7-0 response from the hometown team allowing them to get back within a single possession. The run finally ended with a couple of Adam Hamilton free throws. HCU had trimmed the Lamar advantage down to a single-point heading into the locker room, 27-26.
 
Both teams finished the half shooting 10-of-30 (.333) with four three-pointers. The two schools also turned the ball over twice in the opening 20 minutes. The Cardinals gained a small advantage on the glass in the opening half, 22-20.
 
Jackson sparked an early second half run scoring six consecutive LU points to guide Lamar on an 11-4 run to build back and eight-point lead with less than 16 to play. Jackson's hot start to the half led LU to a stretch where the Cardinals converted 5-of-6 (while at the same time HCU hit just 1-of-5).
 
The Cardinals kept the pressure on HCU as they continued to add to their lead. Following a Marmolejos layup, Houston Christian threw the ball away leading to a Jackson triple giving the Red and White a 52-36 advantage – the largest lead to that point in the game - with less than 11 to play. It was a 25-10 run for the Cardinals to start the second half.
 
Lamar's second-half lead would grow to as many as 18 and HCU would make a late run to pull within single digits but never got the game back within a single possession.
 
The Cardinals return to Monday to take on UIW. The game against the Southland's other Cardinals will tip off at 6:30 p.m. from McDermott Coliseum. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.