BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University junior Rob Lee, Jr. netted a career-high 31 points to lead the Cardinals to a 64-56 victory over Houston Christian Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. Lee scored 24 of his 31 points in the second half as Lamar overcame some first-half shooting woes to outscore HCU, 41-27, in the game's final 20 minutes.
 
Lee becomes the first Lamar player since the 2022-23 season to score 30 points in a game. He was joined in double-figures by senior Andrew Holifield (12 points) and King-Njhsanni Wilhite (10). Holifield also added a game-high four blocks to go along with his 12 points.
 
The Cardinals finished the night 20-of-44 (.455) from the field following a second half where they converted 55 percent of their attempts (11-of-20) to go along with five of their seven three-pointers. The Cardinals hit nearly 56 percent of their three-point attempts in second half and were 17-of-23 from the stripe.
 
For one of the few times this season, the Cardinals were beat on the glass. The Huskies outrebounded Big Red, 34-33, including a 14-8 advantage on the offensive glass. Despite the disparity on the offensive glass, Lamar was only outscored by two, 9-7, in second chance points.
 
HCU struggled to find its rhythm offensively throughout the night. The Huskies opened the game knocking down just 10 of their first 28 attempts and finished the night 18-of-52 (.340). The visitors struggled even worse from long range converting just 4-of-20 (.200) three-point attempts.
 
Lamar scored the game's first five points but HCU immediately responded by scoring the next 10. While Lamar would manage to tie the game in the first half, HCU never fully surrendered the lead building as much as an eight-point advantage and taking a 29-23 lead into the locker room.
 
Lamar pulled to within a single possession with just over 16 to play but it wasn't until a three-pointer from Lee at the 14:29 mark before the Red and White began to assert its will on HCU. Lamar scored eight of the game's next 10 points and only trailed one other time (by only one point).
 
Lamar managed to hold off each HCU attempt at a rally in the late stages of the game to move to .500 on the conference season. The Cardinals now turn their attention to Nicholls who fell from the ranks of the unbeaten Monday in Lake Charles. Saturday's contest against Nicholls is set for a 3 p.m. tip off from Stopher Gym. It will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.