BEAUMONT, Texas – Despite 18 points from junior Rob Lee Jr. and 17 from senior Andrew Holifield, Lamar University could not overcome a tough second-half shooting the ball (38.5 percent) and dropped a 70-68 decision to Northwestern State Monday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
 
The Cardinals ended the night 23-of-56 (.411) from the field with six three-pointers, but NSU was just a bit better knocking down 25-of-56 (.446) attempts, including seven triples.
 
The Cardinals (12-13/7-9 SLC) won the battle on the boards, 40-32, and had an 11-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Unfortunately, Lamar's lead on the offensive glass didn't translate into second chance opportunities as the Demons ended the night with a 10-8 advantage. The Demons also held a 30-14 advantage in paint points as well as a 13-5 lead in points off turnovers.
 
Lee and Holifield were joined in double figures by Braden East who notched his seventh-straight double-double – 10 points and 12 rebounds – to remain ranked among the nation's top 15 in that category.
 
Despite their offensive woes in the second half, Big Red leaned on its defense and edged its way back in front by a point with 31 seconds remaining. NSU had the ball with less than 10  seconds on the clock and managed to draw a foul to send Micah Thomas to the free throw line. Thomas hit the first attempt to tie the game but missed the second. The ball was grabbed by NSU's Willie Williams who laid it off the glass to give the Demons a two-point advantage with four seconds remaining.
 
The Cardinals had one final heave at the basket but Cody Pennebaker's attempt fell short as the horn sounded.
 
The Cardinals will now turn their attention to an important two-game road trip beginning Saturday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The game against the Islanders will tip off at 3:30 p.m. from the American Bank Center.