BEAUMONT, Texas _ A fast started did not last for the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday as the Lamar Cardinals ran away for a 103-67 victory before a crowd of 3,257 at the Montagne Center.
The senior-laden Cardinals (11-5, 2-0) turned a 14-point halftime lead into a convincing victory and kept a stranglehold on the series with the Bears. UCA is winless in nine games against Lamar since joining the league in 2006.
The Bears dropped their fifth consecutive game to fall to 5-8 overall and 0-1 in league play
“We got off to a good start but we just couldn’t sustain our defensive intensity,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “And also, they turned it up defensively and that affected us on the offensive end as well. They’re a good team, the best in the conference.’
The Bears started fast and led 9-2 through the first four minutes of action. The Cardinals, who are now 7-0 at home this season, missed their first 11 shots from the field. But after that ugly start, they made 15 of 24 to finish the half at 42.9 percent and leading 45-31. UCA got eight points off the bench from junior center Terry Tidwell but turned the ball over 11 times before halftime.
“We had entirely too many turnovers and put them on the free throw line too many times in the first half,’ said Williamson. “And they were 12 for 13 at the line. You take care of the basketball and keep them off the free throw line, you give yourself a chance of being there in the second half and then you never know what will happen.’
The Cardinals opened the second half with an 11-0 run to put the game out of reach. Lamar shot 68.8 percent (22 of 32) from the field in the second half, including 7 of 7 from three-point range.
Lamar finished with five players in double figures, led by Brandon Davis with 27 points off the bench. The senior guard made eight of Lamar’s 10 three-pointers, hitting 8 of 11 from beyond the arc. Two-time SLC Player of the Week Mike James had 21 points and Anthony Miles added 20.
““Lamar took it to us in the second half. They smelled blood in the water and got us out of the game,’ said Williamson. “They have a very deep team. You look at their roster, they have six seniors, guys with experience who played well last year. They know what it means to play hard in conference and win games. It made it a tough night for us.
“When you have someone coming off the bench and scoring 27 points, you know it’s a tough night.'
The Cardinals shot 21 free throws, making 19 for 90.5 percent. UCA was 4 of 8 from the line and finished with 23 turnovers. Sophomore forward Jordan Harks and junior guard Robert Crawford led the Bears with 10 points each.
The Bears return home to the Farris Center on Wednesday night, hosting Stephen F. Austin in a SLC Television game. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
