BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University used a 24-6 second half run to separate from Southeastern Louisiana for a 19-point victory Monday evening, 73-54. The run was sparked by a 28-point performance from junior Rob Lee Jr. to go along with another double-double from sophomore Braden East (16 points and 11 rebounds).
 
The Cardinals were 30-of-65 (.462) from the field, including eight three-pointers on the night. Big Red was held below 40 percent at the break before lighting the nets up to the tune of 18-of-33 (.545) in the final 20 minutes.
 
Lamar flexed its muscle on the glass outrebounding the Lions, 42-30, including a 15-7 edge in offensive rebounds. LU also found and advantage in the paint outscoring the Lions by 10, 28-18, in the low post.
 
Despite Lamar (12-11/7-7 SLC) separating from SLU in the second half, the Lions shot better from the field in the game's final 20 minutes. The Lions were 21-of-51 (.421) on the night with eight three-pointers (11 of the Lions field goals came in the second half).
 
Joining Lee and East in double figures was senior Cody Pennebaker. The Brooklyn Park, Minn., native just missed a double-double with 12 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Cardinals took a slim five-point lead into the locker room following a first half where Southeastern remained within two possessions for the majority of the half. The Lions (6-17/3-11 SLC) opened the second half on an 11-3 run to tie the game with just under 16 minutes remaining but the hometown team responded appropriately.
 
Following the under 16 media timeout LU went on a small run to take a seven-point advantage into the next break. Big Red grabbed its first double-digit lead on a Lee triple (one of six on the night for the Michigan native) and the Cardinals were never seriously threatened after that. Lamar pushed its lead to as many as 23 before the end of the night.
 
LU will now turn its attention to the league-leading Stephen F. Austin. The rematch with the Lumberjacks is set for a 5 p.m. tip off from the William R. Johnson Coliseum and will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 and streamed live on ESPN+.