BEAUMONT, Texas – Six different players struck for double-figures as Lamar University defeated Schreiner, 124-62, in the season opener Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena. The 124-point effort was one of the top 15 scoring efforts in program history and the most points scored by the Red and White since 2016.
As a team, the Cardinals were 47-of-85 (.553) from the field, including a 10-of-29 (.345) effort from long range. LU also converted 20-of-31(/645) free throw attempts. Every player who checked into the game scored points on the night.
The Cardinals were also dominant on the glass outrebounding the Mountaineers, 64-24, with 25 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end of the glass.
LU held Schreiner to a 24-of-65 (.369) effort and a 9-of-31 (.290) performance from three-point range.
Defensively, the Cardinals recorded seven steals, blocked five shots and forced the Schreiner into 21 turnovers.
"Everyone in our corner will say it's about us and me – it's not, and the truth is this is about 'we.' It's about the collective group," said LU head coach Jordan Fee. "I think by committee we have a chance to a pretty good team, but it has to be about 'we.'"
Senior
Quante Berry led the Cardinals' attack with 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He also pulled down four rebounds, dished out an assist and blocked two shots. Junior
Filip Radakovic and
M.J. Wardlow each posted a double-doubles. Radakovic ended the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Wardlow netted 16 points with 11 boards. Sophomore
Mike Collins just missed a double-double with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Other Cardinals in double figures were
Dominic Eason (14 points) and
Marko Ljubicic (10).
Schreiner scored the game's first basket and had a three-point lead 90 seconds into the contest but it was off to the races for LU after that. Big Red rattled off a 20-5 run over the next 7:30 of the first half and never looked back recording the 62-point victory.
"Our guys tried to play the right way offensively. We shared the ball," said Fee. "When there was an errant play, you noticed it because for the most part tonight there was good flow to the game. We were playing out of our spacing, passing the ball, making quick, right decisions. Defensively, we were not where we need to be, but some of that you can chalk up to first-game jitters. When you care about something as much as these guys do you want to put on a show and I thought we were a bit out of character early."
The Cardinals will be in action Saturday when they travel to Abilene, Texas to take on Abilene Christian. The contest against the Wildcats will tip off at 1 p.m. from Moody Coliseum.
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