BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University and UIW went toe-to-toe Tuesday afternoon in a matchup that would decide at least a share of the Southland Conference regular-season title. Unfortunately, LU dropped a 5-2 decision to the SLC's other Cardinals in a back-and-forth contest that saw four singles matches forced to a third set including one that ended in tiebreaking fashion.
 
The good guys jumped on the gas early taking wins on courts 1 and 3 doubles to secure the point and grab the early advantage. LU's tandem of Leon Nickel and Maxwell Lindstedt defeated the other Cardinals' Santiago Flyckt and Marcel Miralles, 6-1, at the No. 1 position. The team of Axel Bergh and Rintaro Shukuda followed suit moments later with a 6-3 victory over UIW's Emilio Vila and Augustin Salazar (at No. 3).
 
The momentum from doubles didn't carry over into the singles competition as UIW raced out to a 3-1 lead forcing Lamar into a position of needing to win the final three remaining courts, and all three were headed to a third set.
 
Sophomore Lukas Hamacher temporarily put a stop to the UIW run with a victory on court six. A late addition to the starting lineup, Hamacher defeated UIW's Alexandre Chauvel, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Things continued to look up for the Red and White as Shakuda took a 6-5 lead in the third on court 3 and sophomore Louis Drapeau battled back from a 5-2 deficit in the third to tie his match up.
 
Unfortunately, Lamar's thoughts of a late rally ended their as UIW recovered on both courts and held on for wins to take a three-point victory.
 
The regular season is not over for Lamar as the Cardinals will host Abilene Christian Friday at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. The non-conference match against the Wildcats is set for an 11 a.m. start.