The Lamar University men’s basketball team fell short to Sam Houston State, 85-72, Nov. 17, in the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
The Sam Houston Bearkats dominated from the start with a 24-9 lead nine minutes into the game. The Cardinals never stopped fighting despite the 15-point deficit and cut the lead to 26-23 before going into the half down four points.
The Cardinals lost their momentum in the second half with the Bearkats pushing the lead to 16. LU went on a 14-6 run to pull the game within eight points but, unfortunately, could not pull through down the stretch.
Lamar led the game in rebounds with 41 compared to Sam Houston’s 31. LU forward Errol White pulled down seven rebounds, while Alexis Marmolejos and Andrew Holifield both grabbed six.
Holifield scored a team-high 15 points against the former SLC rival. Two other players accompanied him in double digits with Adam Hamilton scoring 13 points and Ja'Sean Jackson 11.
The Cardinals dominated at the free throw line – 20-of-25 (.800) – while also leading the game in bench points with 10 more than the Bearkats.
Lamar are 1-2 on the season and return to action, Nov. 22, for the Akron Basketball Classic in Ohio, where they will face off against the University of Akron at 5 p.m.
