SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Lamar University junior Rob Lee Jr. scored a team-high 17 points but the Cardinals were unable to overcome a hot-shooting UIW squad. Lamar dropped a 72-60 decision at McDermott Center Saturday evening.
 
The loss drops Lamar to 12-18 (.400) overall and 7-14 (.333) in Southland Conference play.
 
Lamar shot nearly 55 percent in the second half to finish the game 26-of-56 (.464) from the field. The Cardinals struggled from long range knocking down just 3-of-17 (.176) three-pointers. LU also outrebounded their hosts, 30-26, including a 13-5 advantage in offensive rebounds.
 
UIW ended the day 22-of-43 (.512) from the field and 8-of-18 (.444) from long range.
 
Lee was joined in double-figures by Braden East (16 points and seven rebounds) and senior Cody Pennebaker (11 points).
 
Lamar grabbed an early one-point lead before UIW caught fire and rattled off a 15-1 run to build a 13-point first-half advantage. The hometown Cardinals knocked down six of their 12 attempts to build a double-digit lead. The UIW lead grew to 15 before junior Rob Lee Jr. hit a three trimming the deficit to 12 with less than four remaining in the half.
 
The bad guys took a 15-point lead into the locker room after an opening 20 minutes that saw UIW knock down 14-of-26 (.538) attempts including four threes. Big Red began to heat up as the half wore on shooting 9-of-25 (.360) from the field. Lamar also outrebounded its hosts by three in the first half.
 
LU caught fire to open the second half converting its first four attempts but San Antonio's version of the Cardinals answered by starting the new half 2-of-3 including a three-pointer.
 
Coming out of the under 16 media timeout Pennebaker got an and-one to pull LU within 11, 44-33 (15:29 remaining), the play was followed by a UIW turnover but the Cardinals were unable to convert on the ensuing possession.
 
The UIW lead was 14 as the contest moved into the latter stages of the half, when Lamar found East who stepped out on the wing unguarded and buried a three to get Lamar within 11, 63-52, with 2:07 remaining. The Cardinals got a stop which led to an Errol White basket from the right elbow. The Cardinals then forced a turnover and Pennebaker came up with the loose ball and finished with the slam getting Big Red back within seven only to see UIW respond with a three. The UIW triple pushed the advantage back to 10 and San Antonio's Cardinals held on in the closing moments for the win.
 
The Cardinals will close out the regular season and look to secure their conference tournament berth Monday when they travel to Houston, Texas to take on the HCU Huskies. The game against Houston Christian is set for a 7:30 p.m. tip off from Sharp Gym. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.