Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — Junior Nick Garth scored 19 points and Lamar University never trailed coasting to an 85-62 victory over Incarnate Word Wednesday evening in the Montagne Center. The victory marked the first series sweep of UIW in program history as well as the first time Big Red has won three in a row over the Southland’s other Cardinals.

Garth led a Cardinals’ squad that finished the night shooting nearly 47 percent from the field, including 10 three-pointers. The Red and White also took advantage of their opportunities from the free throw line converting 15-of-21 (.714) attempts.

The Cardinals took advantage of their size in the low post as well outscoring UIW, 36-18, in the paint. LU also got a huge boost from its bench outscoring the UIW reserves, 39-12.

The Cardinals were also dominant on the glass outrebounding their guests by 11, 41-30, including 12 offensive rebounds.

“The stat line I’m most impressed with is we held them to 27 percent from the field in the second half,” said LU head coach Tic Price. “If they don’t shoot as many free throws as they did tonight it would have been hard for them to score.

“For the most part, I thought our guys really showed some character tonight in their ability to bounce back the way did, because that was a heartbreaker Saturday in Huntsville.”

Garth was joined in double figures by classmate Josh Nzeakor (16 points) and senior Zjori Bosha. The Nome native ended the night with a double-double scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Senior Colton Weisbrod added seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

“Zjori gave us a real good effort tonight with another double-double,” said Price. “He is sensing that is Lamar University career is almost over. Saturday will be the last time he, and the other seniors, will lace them up and play in front of our fans. We need that same type of effort again on Saturday. Zjori is the only four-year senior that we have out of the group.”

UIW’s Shawn Johnson led all scorers with his 27-point performance, but was one of only two UIW Cardinals in double figures. UIW finished the night 17-of-46 (.370) from the field, which included an 8-of-19 (.421) performance from three-point range.

The Cardinals scored the first five points of the game after two Weisbrod free throws and a James Harrison three-pointer. UIW would follow with a triple of its own but LU managed to keep San Antonio’s version of the Cardinals at arm’s length while it extending its lead.

Following a Garth three-pointer to take an eight-point lead, Garth then turned to his defense for more offense. Garth picked off a pass and took it straight the glass for a layup and a 10-point lead, 19-9. Although the double-digit advantage only lasted for a possession, it didn’t take the hometown team long to get it back. Bosha scored the final basket of the first half to give LU an 11-point lead heading into the locker room, and that would be as close as UIW could get to victory Wednesday in Beaumont.

The Cardinals pushed their lead to as many as 20 points less than seven minutes into the half behind stellar defense. The Cards held UIW to a 6-of-22 performance in the final 20 minutes, and a 3-of-11 effort from beyond the arc. The visiting Cardinals were never able to find the range and were also hurt by 15 turnovers.

The Red and White will return to the Montagne Center one more time this season when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The game against the Islanders will tip off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Prior to tip off, the Cardinals will honor their six-man senior class.