MBB: Cards Win Opener

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BEAUMONT, Texas – Junior Marcus Owens recorded a double-double and four players finished the night in double figures as the Lamar University Cardinals basketball team recorded an impressive 101-58 victory over Austin College Friday evening in the Montagne Center. Every player who entered the game scored at least one basket and pulled down at least two rebounds.

“I’m happy with our overall performance,” said head coachTic Price. “I was really happy with how we dominated the glass. It’s rare for a team to get 71 rebounds, and we held them to less than 25 percent from the field. I’m pleased from the defensive standpoint. We have to do a better job with our three-point shooting. We missed some shots that normally we make. We did play very unselfish tonight. I see some very good things with this team.”

The Cardinals knocked down 32-of-78 (.410) shots, but struggled beyond the arc with a 7-of-32 (.219) performance. When the ball came off the rim LU normally secured the rebounds. Big Red outgained the Roos on the glass, 71-41. It was the most rebounds by a Cardinals’ squad since it pulled down 71 against Texas Lutheran in 1977.

The Cardinals got the new season off to a quick start by recording a four-point play on its first possession. Sophomore Kevin Booze knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing and was fouled. He converted the free throw and LU never looked back.

The Cardinals led by eight, 15-7, with 12:30 remaining in the opening half when Owens knocked down a layup. The basket sparked 19-7 run as the Cardinals pushed their lead to 22 points in the opening half. LU led by as many as 31 in the first half before Austin College’s John Pass stole the ball on an inbounds and scored a basket as the buzzer sounded to end the opening half. Although the Roos scored the final four points of the half, LU took a 28-point lead, 58-30, into the locker room.

Austin College cut the lead to 24 points early in the second half but that would be as close as the Roos would get. LU never let down its intensity and pushed its lead over 40 points in the final 20 minutes.

Junior college transfer Lincoln Davis finished the night with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal, while Nick Garth and LeMon Gregory each scored 10 points. Booze, and freshman Dorian Chatman scored eight, while Booze also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out seven assists.

Junior Christian Kennedy scored four points and blocked a game-high four shots. The Cardinals finished the night with nine blocks and 12 steals, while forcing Austin College into 17 turnovers.

The Cardinals return to action Monday when they travel to Fresno, Calif., to take on Fresno State. The game against the Bulldogs is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. (9 p.m. Central) from Fresno.

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