Feb. 10, 2007

Box Score

BEAUMONT - Lamar's Todd Currye came off the bench to score 22 points and the Cardinals shot 54 percent from the field en route to a 96-69 win over Texas State Saturday in the Montagne Center.

While the Cards had a hot-shooting night, the Bobcats continued to struggle. Texas State shot just 27 percent from the field in the first half and 33 percent for the game.

The Bobcats actually jumped in front early.

A three-pointer by Brandon Bush gave Texas State 14-9 lead with 13:37 to play in the first half. The period featured eight lead changes but Darren Hopkins sparked a 17-0 run with a pair of jumpers as the Cardinals stretched out a 49-28 lead with less than two minutes to play in the half. The Cards led 50-30 at the break.

Hopkins scored 21 points, going 9-of-18 from the field including a 4-for-7 night from three-point range. He also had five of Lamar's 29 assists, which ties for second-most assists by a Southland Conference team this season.

Lamar's inside starters - Lamar Sanders and Lawrence Nwevo - were held to a combined 17 points but also teamed to grab 18 rebounds. Sanders scored nine points, had 11 boards and dished out six assists.

Texas State was led by Brent Holder's 16 points. The junior was 5-for-9 from the field, knocking down 4-of-7 three-pointers. In the last three games, Holder is a combined 14-of-28 from behind the arc. Bush scored 15 points while Chris Agwumaro finished with 14 in the loss.

Texas State is now 8-16 and 3-8 in Southland Conference play. The Bobcats play host to league leader Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday in Strahan Coliseum. Lamar improved to 10-14 and 4-6 in league play.