Cardinals 72-Bearkats 49
By Cheval John
Behind guard Mike James 22 points in the second half, the Lamar Cardinals defeated Sam Houston State Bearkats men’s basketball team by the score of 72-49.
The win gave the Cardinals increase their Southland Conference record to 9-5 (18-11 overall).
“We wanted to win pretty bad,” James said. “We kept grinding it out and we came out with the win.
The Bearkats started the game on a 7-2 run to make it 7-2.
The Cardinals answered with a 6-3 run to cut the lead to 10-8.
The Bearkats scored six straight points on three possessions to extend the lead to 16-8.
Cardinals went on a 10 -0 run to take their first lead by the score of 18-16.
From that moment, it was a back and forth battle between the two teams as they exchanged a total of 22 points to end the half with the game tied at 28.
Guard Darius Gatson led the Kats with 9 points in the first half, shooting 3-5 from the field. The Kats shot 100% from the free throw line.
James and guard Devon Lamb led the Cardinals with 8 points each in the first half.
The second half began with a 10-4 run by the Cardinals to make it 38-32.
They exploded with a 25-7 run to extend the lead to 60-45 and went on to win by the score of 72-49.
“You got to give credit to Lamar,” head basketball coach Jason Hooten said. “They fought really hard and responded real well with their SFA game and outplayed us.”
James finished the game with 30 points and had 3 rebounds with two assists while Lamb ended the game with 15 points, 5 assists and three rebounds.
“I put these guys at a terrible spot on purpose,” Cardinals head basketball coach Pat Knight said. “I wouldn’t had done it if I didn’t have tough players.”
Gatson finished the game with 13 points and had 4 assists with 3 rebounds. Forward Steven Werner contributed with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist.
The Bearkats next game will be against their arch-rival Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday, February 29 at Johnson Coliseum. It will be the final home game of the season.
For more information, visit gobearkats.com