BEAUMONT, Texas – In a defensive struggle that came down to the bitter end, McNeese got a three-pointer from Antavion Collum with :04 seconds remaining to give the Cowboys a two-point lead. It turned out to be the final dagger in an exciting, back-and-forth contest that came down to the bitter end.
Lamar finished the game shooting 22-of-56 (.393) from the field, including seven three-pointers. Unfortunately for the Red and White, they weren't able to get to the free throw line like they normally do, converting just five of nine attempts.
The Cardinals were outrebounded by one, 35-34, and McNeese forced Lamar into three more turnovers on the night, but both teams scored 15 points off the other's miscues.
Junior Adam Hamilton led the Cardinals with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. He was one of two Cardinals to score in double figures as senior Chris Pryor also chipped in 10.
On paper, Monday's game was expected to be an offensive explosion as the two top offenses in the Southland Conference squared off. By game's end, it was the defensive that took center stage as neither team reached the 60-point plateau.
McNeese got out of the gate quicker opening up an 11-point lead, 17-6, but Lamar would retaliate. Following a C.J. Felder basket to grab the 11-point advantage, Lamar rattled off a 14-2 run to take a one-point lead, 20-19, with less than seven minutes remaining in the opening half.
The run was key as it change the momentum of the contest. Neither team would gain more than an eight-point advantage for the remainder of the contest, and no lead stayed unchanged for long.
The Cardinals held the momentum through the half taking a six-point lead into the locker room – closing the half on an 11-6 run.
Coming out of the locker room, LU got a basket from Pryor to take an eight-point advantage, 33-25. That would be the largest lead of the half for either team, but the Cowboys rattled off a 12-3 run and reclaimed a one-point advantage with just over 15:31 remaining in the contest.
With 4:54 remaining in the contest, the teams were even at 51, and that began the process of both team's exchanging baskets and the lead switching sides. Down one with less than a minute to play Lamar called a timeout. Breaking the huddle Errol White found B.B. Knight in the corner for a three to give Lamar a 56-54 lead with 46 second remaining.
McNeese was sent to the free throw line where Shahada Wells hit 1-of-2 attempts pulling the Cowboys within a point. Lamar got the ball back and was sent to the stripe for a one-and-one, but the first shot was off the mark and McNeese got the rebound.
With time winding down, Wells found Collum just to the left of the circle and Collum hit the basket that was the difference in the game. Lamar had one final attempt at the basket, but a Terry Anderson shot was off the mark.
The Cardinals must now have a short-team memory as they prepare for two road games before senior day. The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Natchitoches, La., to take on Northwestern State. The game against the Demons will tip off at 3 p.m. from Prather Coliseum.