Wednesday evening is the opening day for the SLC race. Lamar men are at home versus Southeastern La in a 7:00 PM game. Lamar comes into the game ranked at 215 following the loss to TCU. Cards are favored to win, but there is only one common opponent to date. SELA defeated Southern of N.O. by five points a week before LU defeated Southern by seventeen. Looked like Kopp was suited up at TCU but did not play. This years conference schedule gives the Cards a good chance to start out with some early conference wins. Must not let this first one slip away.

SeLa is 0-6 against D1 teams. LU is 3-5 against D1 teams, and 3 of those losses were against very good teams. The losses to UAB and Texas Southern came at the end of a 4 game road trip in 7 days. Let's see what Kopp can do!

Let's hope Kopp is as good as advertised.

Lamar leads 34-31 at the half. Cards are cold shooting from the outside. Buster looks rusty & Kopp has gotten a few minutes but no points, but the bigs are holding their own. No one on either team in foul trouble, refs are letting them play.

Lamar leads 34-31 at the half. Cards are cold shooting from the outside. Buster looks rusty & Kopp has gotten a few minutes but no points, but the bigs are holding their own. No one on either team in foul trouble, refs are letting them play.

 

Didn't Kopp hit a 3 pointer?

Sullivan gets 2 quick fouls in 2nd half, now has 4 and on the bench. Lamar’s half court offense is basically someone dribbling the ball until less than 10 seconds on the shot clock then jacking it up. LU ahead at 11:00 55-52.

7:29 to go, Lamar leads 59-58. SELA has ball.

Sullivan gets 2 quick fouls in 2nd half, now has 4 and on the bench. Lamar’s half court offense is basically someone dribbling the ball until less than 10 seconds on the shot clock then jacking it up. LU ahead at 11:00 55-52.

 

Sullivan back in the game.

6:05 left, SELA leads 61-59.

4:54 left, LU trailing by 1, 61-60.

2:22 left, SELA leads 66-64.

2:22 left, SELA leads 66-64.

 

Lamar needs to finish strong!

20 seconds left. Cards take lead on Atwood 3 pointer, 69-68. SELa ball.

15.7 seconds left, Lamar leads 69-68. Lions at free throw line shooting 2.

I've been out of the house all evening but in a quick look at the stats it doesn't look like Price used much of his bench.

Going to OT tied 69-69. Sullivan fouled out with 10 points. Atwood leading all players with 32. Buster has 5, Jefferson 9, Holmes 7.

69-69, headed to overtime.

2:47 in OT, Holmes injured leg. LU leads 73-69.

26.4 left, Cards lead 77-71.

6.7 seconds left, 79-71.

Cards survive in OT 79 - 73

Lamar wins in OT 79-73. 1-0 in conference. Btw, Holmes returned to court at the end of game, so he must be okay. Atwood ended up with 34 points.

Lamar played well in OT. Buster only had 5 pts as he is in a shooting slump.

Cards got the win but not having seen much of the game I don't understand why Sohail and Nickerson didn't play any. They both gave some decent minutes in the non-conference. What I saw of Kopp I liked. He didn't try to force anything and show how great he is. His effort in the overtime on defense and the offensive boards was important in obtaining the win. He only shot 50% from the free throw line and really didn't look like he was comfortable as he seemed to be falling forward on each of his attempts. Will have to wait and see if that is something related to his injury and will improve as he gets more playing time and builds up endurance.

Lady Cards win their SLC opener 65-57.