Courtesy: Brandon K. Scott
/SHSU Athletics

Sam Houston State opened Southland Conference action with a 14-3 win against Lamar on Saturday.

Senior quarterback Brian Bell ran for a touchdown in the second quarter and threw for another in the third quarter for the game’s only touchdowns.

Lamar made only two trips to the red zone before a two-hour lightning delay stalled action with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter.

A 47-yard field goal by Alex Ball was the Cardinals’ only score.

Lamar’s defense held all-time Southland Conference leading rusher Timothy Flanders to 83 yards on 28 carries, his lowest output since the Kats season opener against Houston Baptist.

The SHSU defense held Lamar to just five yards of total offense in the third quarter.

After a scoreless first quarter, Bell ran for a 45-yard touchdown with 7:53 to go in the half.

Ball connected on the field goal with 10 seconds to spare until halftime.

In the third quarter, Bell found sophomore wide receiver Stephen Williams in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown toss.

The Bearkats improved to 5-1, 1-0 in conference play.

SHSU holds the longest active home winning streak at 19.

The last time SHSU dropped a game at Bowers Stadium was against McNeese State in 2010.