EDINBURG, Texas - Lamar University couldn't contain the hot shooting of UT Rio Grande Valley, which came away with a 75-53 win at the UTRGV Fieldhouse Thursday evening. Despite the loss, the Cardinals received some good news as they have clinched a spot in the Southland Conference tournament thanks to ninth-place Houston Christian losing to Nicholls.
 
Shaila Forman led the Cardinals with 15 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Kamryn Wilson scored 12 points while Jacei Denley finished with seven.
 
The Cardinals (14-9, 11-5 SLC) struggled to hit from the floor as they made 30.4 percent from the field. UTRGV converted 59.6 percent, including seven three-pointers. The Vaqueros outrebounded LU, 36-25, and controlled the paint with 38 points. 
 
From the opening tip, the Vaqueros never trailed. Starting with a 5-0 run, UTRGV further separated itself with a 10-2 run to take a 10-point lead. Taliah Hill and Forman each netted four points, but the Cardinals struggled to hit shots (4-of-12/33.3 percent) and trailed 20-13. 
 
UTRGV's hot shooting continued in the second quarter by outscoring the Cardinals 24-13 to lead 44-26 at halftime. The Vaqueros shot 53.3 percent from the field, which included five three-pointers. LU slightly improved its field goal percentage to 42.9 percent (6-of-14). 
 
The Cardinals outscored UTRGV 16-14 in the third quarter but picked up 10 points from the free throw line. Forman scored eight points in the quarter. The Vaqueros made all but one of their field goals and would stretch their lead to 20 points. 
 
UTRGV led 70-42 midway through the fourth quarter before the Cardinals were unable to come back.
 
The Cardinals conclude their road trip Saturday as they will take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the Hilliard Center. The game will start at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.
 

#PeckEmCards