Lamar's Braden East stole the show at the Montagne Center, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to propel his team to a 63-51 win over Incarnate Word. The Cardinals' victory was never in doubt, as they led by as many as 19 points in the second half and cruised to a 12-point win. East's performance was the catalyst for Lamar's success, as he consistently found ways to score and create for his teammates.
The first half was a defensive struggle, with Lamar taking a 28-19 lead into the break. Incarnate Word's Tahj Staveskie was a bright spot for the visitors, scoring 11 points and dishing out 7 assists to go along with 7 rebounds. However, the Cardinals' balanced attack proved too much for the Cardinals to handle. Rob Lee Jr. chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Andrew Holifield added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Incarnate Word made a push in the second half, cutting the deficit to 10 points with just over 5 minutes remaining. However, Lamar responded with a 7-2 run to seal the win. The Cardinals' ability to close out games has been a strength all season, and Friday's win was no exception. Lamar's 35 second-half points were more than enough to secure the victory.
While the win was impressive, it's worth noting that it came against a sub-.500 Incarnate Word team. As a result, the victory will be considered a Quadrant 4 win for Lamar, which may not carry significant weight when it comes to NCAA Tournament selection time. Nevertheless, the Cardinals will take the win and continue to build momentum as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.
For Incarnate Word, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. Despite Staveskie's strong all-around performance, the team struggled to find consistent offense. The Cardinals' 51 points were a season low, and they must regroup before their next outing. The loss will be considered a Quadrant 3 defeat for Incarnate Word, which may not be devastating but certainly won't help their tournament chances.
In the end, Lamar's win over Incarnate Word will be remembered as a solid, if not spectacular, performance. The Cardinals' ability to take care of business against a lesser opponent is a positive sign, but they must continue to prove themselves against tougher competition. As for their tournament chances, the win will likely have a minimal impact, but it's a step in the right direction for a team looking to make a push in the second half of the season.