EDINBURG, Texas – Lamar University had the ball down one with less than a minute to play but had a layup roll off the rim and UT Rio Grande Valley held on to escape with a 70-65 victory Monday evening at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
The Cardinals (12-15/7-11 SLC) got out to hot start and outshot UTRGV on the night. Lamar finished the game 26-of-58 (.448), including a 6-of-11 (.545) effort from long range, but the Cardinals were hurt by their struggles at the free throw line. Big Red could manage just 7-of-16 (.438), while the Vaqueros were 17-of-23 in a contest that came right down to the wire.
 
Lamar's defense held UTRGV to a 22-of-61(.361) effort, which including a 9-of-28 (.321) performance from three-point range. The Cards also outrebounded UTRGV, 42-37.
 
Both teams were strong holding onto the ball as the two schools combined for just nine turnovers. Junior Rob Lee Jr. led four Cardinals in double figures. He had 14 points while freshman Eian Lowe added 13, senior Cody Pennebaker and sophomore Braden East added 12.
 
Pennebaker also recorded his first double-double of the season pulling down 10 rebounds on the night, while East just missed another double-double with nine rebounds.
 
After UTRGV took an early four-point lead, the Cardinals responded by converting five of their next six attempts (including a three) to spark a 9-0 run. The Cardinals also held UTRGV off the scoreboard for more than five minutes, but the drought would eventually end with a couple of Vaqueros' three balls.
 
Although UTRGV would take a slim two-point lead into the locker room, neither team could gain more than a two-possession lead in the opening 20 minutes. Lamar outshot the Vaqueros in the opening half knocking down 13-of-30 (.433) attempts, while UTRGV was held to 11-of-35 (.314) from the field and just 25 percent from long range.
 
Lamar opened the second half knocking down six of its first nine attempts while the Vaqueros were 3-of-8. The Cardinals tied the game on a baseline jumper from Holifield to open the second half. The Cards took a four-point lead less than five minutes into the half, but the Vaqueros would answer.
 
The Cardinals held a three-point lead, 45-41, but an Always Right triple sparked an 12-3 run as UTRGV jumped back in front by five with less than 10 to play. The Cardinals got the game back within a single point twice in the final 3:06. Lamar got the ball back down one with less than a minute go. Big Red got the ball in the hands East but his attempt rolled off the rim and the Vaqueros got the ball and took it down the court and got a three from Filip Brankovic. UTRGV held off Lamar in the closing moments to escape with the win.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday against New Orleans. The game against the Privateers will tip off at 6 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.