Lamar University got a game-high 23 points from Alexis Marmolejos, and jumped out to an early lead at No. 23 Texas A&M, Nov. 11, but the Aggies' hot shooting from long range was the difference in the game as A&M defeated the Cardinals, 97-71.
Marmolejos – who has now struck for double digits in his first two games as a Cardinal – was joined in double figures by Ja'Sean Jackson (15 points/5-of-8 shooting) and Andrew Holifield (13 points). Holifield also recorded his first double-double in a Cardinal uniform leading all players with 10 rebounds.
Big Red finished the night shooting 24-of-64 (.375) from the field, including six makes from long range. Five of the Cardinals six triples came in the second half when LU shot 5-of-10.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals had no answer for an Aggie offense that shot better than 55 percent from the field, including 12 three-pointers (10 of those coming in the first half).
Lamar (1-1) jumped out to a quick start scoring the game's first five points before the Aggies got on the scoreboard. Texas A&M's first three makes came from long range as the Aggies took a two-point lead, 9-7, into the first media timeout.
Breaking the huddle, Texas A&M rattled off a 15-0 run to build an 11-point lead before Big Red responded. The Cardinals got a basket from Jackson to end the run and then he stole the inbound pass and drove to the glass for another basket trimming the Aggies' lead down to just seven, but the Aggies closed the half on another run carrying a 50-29 lead into the locker room.
The Cardinals finished the opening half converting 11-of-28 (.393) from the field, but only one of those makes came from long range. On the other side of the floor, 10 of the Aggies' 17 first half makes were from beyond the three-point arc.
Texas A&M opened the second half on a 12-2 run and Lamar was unable to get back into the contest.
The Cardinals will be back in action Sunday when they return home to host Sam Houston. The game against the Bearkats will tip off at 4 p.m. from the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. It will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.