By Larry Cooper

For LSCPA sports information

BAYTOWN — Lamar State College Port Arthur saw its four-game win streak come to an end at the hands of Lee College on Saturday night, 81-79, in a big Region XIV showdown. With the win, Lee College continues the amazing streak of five straight seasons that one team in the series has swept the other, alternating each season including the Seahawks’ remarkable three game sweep last season.

The Runnin’ Rebels got off to a quick start in the game building an early four point lead, before Lamar State stormed back ahead to build their own lead to as much as 12 with 3 minutes to play in the half. Lee then went on a 10-0 run to close the opening half, shaving the Seahawks halftime advantage to 35-33.

John Comeaux, the outstanding freshman from Ozen was stellar in the first half for Lamar State garnering 17 of his 34 points to lead all scorers.

Getting out to a fast start in the second half, Lee was able to take early control in the final 20 minutes, as Tony Farmer, the sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio, began a personal 11-0 run and eventually hit 9 out of 11 shots in a spurt that saw Lee build its largest lead of the game to seven points.

But the resilient Seahawks never gave in, battling back behind Comeaux and Serbian sophomore Peter Radojicic’s 23 points and 8 rebounds to eventually tie the game up at 77 with 1:37 to go as Comeaux split a pair of free throws. Lamar State then started using fouls down the stretch to set up an opportunity to win it at the buzzer. Farmer went to the line and cooly dropped in two free throws to put Lee up 81-79. Lamar State then took the clock down to the final buzzer, but Comeaux’s late game heroics did not repeat itself from the Wednesday victory at Angelina, as his off-balance game winner fell just short, giving the win to Lee.

Chase Rutledge rounded out the Seahawks’ double-figure scorers with 11 for the night.

With the loss, the Seahawks fall to 16-10 on the season and 6-10 in Region XIV, while Lee improves to 16-10 and 8-6.

Lamar State returns home to the Parker Center Wednesday night as part of the Mardi Gras celebration this week in Port Arthur. The Seahawks host Blinn in a Region XIV match-up set for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The game will also be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. live on CooperSports.net and locally on radio on SportsRadioBeaumont.com, 1450 and 1510 AM.