The Lamar men’s basketball team lost to McNeese State University in the Southland Conference tournament semifinals, 57-76, March 12, in The Legacy Center, Lake Charles, La.
Top-seeded McNeese shot more than 50 percent from the field, compared to LU’s 36 percent. The Cowboys overshadowed the Cardinals throughout the game with their dominating defense.
Lamar’s 17 turnovers cost the game as McNeese converted them to 16 points. LU committed nine turnovers in the first half, causing them to start slow.
With a crowd of more than 4,000 people, the Cardinals couldn’t overcome the home court advantage the Cowboys had.
Junior forward Terry Anderson scored a game-high 16 points and pulled down five rebounds. Ja’Sean Jackson also scored in double figures with 11 points.
Lamar last made the SLC tournament back in 2021, where they also lost in the semifinals against Abilene Christian. LU went on to win 11 games in the next two years after that.
Adam Hamilton, left, with Coach Brooks and Chris Pryor, right, after the game for the post game interviews in The Legacy Center, Lake Charles, La. March 12. UP photo by Brian Quijada.
Despite the semifinals loss, LU head coach Alvin Brooks said he is proud of his team.
“It's huge for us, for the development of the program, to come this far,” Coach Brooks said. “We were 40 minutes away from playing for the whole thing. So, we've come a long way.”
Coach Brooks credited Adam Hamilton and Chris Pryor for the team’s recent success.
“These guys were both big keys in our recruiting class two years ago, to start building them all back to what it used to be,” Brooks said. “Our vision that we sold to both of these guys is, I'm a former player here myself and coach here, and that we play for conference titles and tournament play every year. I wanted them to come here and try to help us build that.
“They believed in us, and they came here and they got us within one win to 20 and within 40 minutes of playing for the whole thing. So, I'm super proud of these two guys. We're gonna walk out here with our heads held high. I mean, there's no reason to be down because, when you play a team as good as this team on their home court in any game, let alone the semifinals, it's a really difficult task.”
Lamar wrapped up their season with 19 wins and 14 losses, finishing fourth in the Southland conference with 12 wins and only six losses, their best record in three years.
