With the score tied and 1.5 seconds remaining, Lamar’s Ja’Sean Jackson heaved the ball the length of the court. It slammed off the backboard and into the hands of Andrew Holifield who let fly a floater from 10 feet as the buzzer sounded for a 70-68 Cardinal victory.
The win in the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center moves Lamar to 14-10 overall and 9-4 in Southland Conference play. LU remains tied for second in the SLC standings.
Holifield, who finished the night with 13 points and seven rebounds, was one of four Cardinals in double figures.
Alexis Marmolejos led the way with 19 points, while Errol White added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Jackson, who made the full court heave to set up the game-winner, netted 12 points and dished out four assists.
As a team, the Cardinals shot 27-of-64 (.422) from the field, including seven three-pointers, and were 9-of-12 (.750) from the free throw line. The two teams each finished with 37 rebounds but Lamar had a slight edge on the offensive glass, 11-9.
The Cardinals outscored UTRGV, 23-12, in fastbreak points and 28-10 in the paint.
UTRGV was held to a 21-of-55 (.382) but managed to keep things close from three-point range. The Vaqueros knocked down 16 triples (.432) — eight in each half — preventing Lamar from running away down the stretch.
Lamar led by as many as 11 in the second half but a couple of late misses at the stripe — one coming with 27 seconds on the clock and then missing the front end of a one-and-one with eight seconds remaining — kept the door open for UTRGV.
The Vaqueros drew a foul with 1.5 seconds remaining and Howie Fleming, Jr. hit both free throws to tie the game at 68 as it appeared the two teams were headed to overtime. UTRGV left just enough time on the clock to allow Lamar to get off the final play.
The Cardinals look to make it two in a row, Feb. 15, when they travel to Commerce to play East Texas A&M. The game will tip off at 2:15 and will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on ESPN+.