The Lamar University basketball team came up short against the New Orleans Privateers, 77-71, Feb. 21, at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. The Cardinals allowed New Orleans to go up by as many as 19 in the second half and began to chip away too late.
The Cardinals were led by seniors Errol White and Andrew Holifield, who scored 14 points each.
The team came out on fire, going up 7-0 after quick scoring and great defense. UNO quickly cut the lead, however. The Cardinals kept it close in a back-and-forth first half and went into the break only down by three, 32-29.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it was a tale of two halves. The team came out completely flat in the second half. They gave up bucket after bucket and struggled to put the ball in the hoop. The momentum was completely on New Orleans’ side and a couple of huge dunks only made it worse for the Cards.
As the game started winding down, the Cards started making up the deficit. A couple of easy layups and open threes brought the 19-point deficit to as little as six. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough time left on the clock. The Privateers knocked down clutch free throws to keep a comfortable lead.
The loss was LU’s fifth in a row as they drop to 12-16 on the season, 7-12 in Southland Conference play. They sit seventh in the conference with three games to play, with the top-eight teams making the SLC tournament.
The Cardinals played Nicholls State, Feb. 23, in Beaumont in a nationally televised game. Result was unavailable at press time. The Cards next play at Incarnate Word, Feb 28.