BEAUMONT, Texas – After falling behind by 11 points midway through the second half, Lamar University rattled off a 13-2 run to pull even with 1:39 remaining but never could reclaim the lead as McNeese hit its free throws down the stretch and escape with a 68-66 victory Saturday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
The Cardinals (18-12/13-6 SLC) held the lead for nearly the entire first half and overcame some shooting woes in the final 20 minutes to battle their way back into the contest. Lamar was 22-of-61 (.361) from the field with nine three-pointers. The Cardinals also took advantage of their trips at the free throw line with converting 13-of-15 attempts (.867). Big Red also edged McNeese on the glass, 39-38, which included a 15-12 lead in offensive rebounds.
 
Big Red finished the night with three players in double figures led by 19 points from Ja'Sean Jackson and 18 from Alexis Marmolejos. Senior Adam Hamilton just missed a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Cowboys ended the night shooting 23-of-54 (.426) from the field after a converting better than 57 percent of their attempts in the second half. Despite their success from the field, McNeese struggled from long range as the Cardinals held their guest to just a 3-of-15 (.200) effort on three-point attempts. The Cowboys were led by Sincere Parker's 25 points.
 
Lamar took a four-point lead into the locker room, 35-31. The Cardinals pushed that lead to seven points on their second possession of the half before McNeese responded with a 13-0 run to take a six-point lead – their largest of the game to that point.
 
McNeese's lead grew to as many as 11 and the Cardinals could get no closer than eight until a Marmolejos three-pointer with 3:44 remaining in the contest. Trailing by seven, the Cardinals continued pressing the attack scoring the next seven points to tie the game at 59 on a Hamilton dunk following an offensive rebound. LU kept it a one possession contest until two Parker free throws with a second on the clock made it a five-point lead.
 
Marmolejos closed out the scoring with a jumper from just inside half court as the buzzer sounded.
 
The Cardinals will now hit the reset button and turn their attention to the regular-season finale and senior night. The Cardinals will host Nicholls Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena. The contest between the two teams tied for second place in the standings will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.