A game that started slow had a furious finish as Lamar outlasted Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for a 77-72 Southland Conference victory on Saturday at the American Bank Center.
The Islanders, who are now 0-2 in the Southland Conference and 3-9 overall, held a 72-71 lead with 1:37 remaining in the game but Lamar’s Nick Garth knocked down a 3-pointer 23 seconds later and gave the Cardinals the lead for good.
The Islanders missed four 3-pointers over the final minute as Nick Garth and Josh Nzeakor combined for three free throws to clinch the victory.
Both teams struggled to score in the first 10 minutes as Lamar held a 12-10 lead but over the final 30 minutes, the Cardinals outscored the Islanders 65-62.
Lamar shot 49.1 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent from 3-point range compared to the Islanders’ 38.8 percent from the floor.
Three different Cardinals finished in double figures as Colton Weisbrod recorded a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Nzeakor added 17 and Garth 19.
Joe Kilgore led the Islanders with 23 points and 10 rebounds and Sean Rhea scored 17 in the loss.