McFarlane, Rowbury notch double-doubles but Lions fall at Lamar

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University men’s basketball team saw both Roger McFarlane and Brody Rowbury both get to double figures in both scoring and rebounding, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a cold-shooting second half in a 74-64 loss to the Lamar Cardinals Saturday night at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.

The game started well for Southeastern (7-13, 2-5 SLC) as Nick Caldwell hit a three-pointer and Roscoe Eastmond got to the rim for a layup to give the Lions a 5-0 lead 2:30 into the contest. But Lamar (11-9, 5-2 SLC) answered back with five in a row before the Lions put up five more with Rowbury hitting a hook shot and McFarlane draining a three to go up 10-5 with 15:15 left in the period. But that’s where the Cardinals went on their first big run of the game, running off 18 of the next 22 points to jump out to a 23-14 lead with 8:30 left before halftime. That advantage would eventually be pushed to 11 points as a Lamar three-pointer made it 29-18 with 6:40 to go.

However, Alec Woodard hit a three on SLU’s ensuing possession, starting a push that got rid of that deficit as the Lions went on a 12-0 run with another McFarlane three putting Southeastern back in front at 30-29 with 3:15 left before the break. Lamar responded with five-straight points to go up 34-30 before Rowbury hit a pair of free throws and then put in a missed shot right before the buzzer to send the two teams to the locker room back even at 34-34.

Rowbury continued his personal run to start the second half, getting a layup to put the Lions back in front at 36-34. Lamar answered with a three-pointer to jump back in front, but Nick Caldwell was fouled on the next possession and made his two free throw attempts to put SLU back in the lead at 38-37 with 18:15 left in the contest. That would be the Lions’ last lead in the game as a three-pointer on Lamar’s next possession sent the Cardinals on a 12-0 run to reclaim an 11-point advantage at 49-38 with 14:30 to go in the contest. The run reached 17-3 as Lamar took its largest lead of the contest at 13 points for the first time at 54-41 with 11 minutes to go. Southeastern got as close as eight points several times, the last with just more than a minute left on a floater by Eastmond while being fouled which made it 69-61, but the Cardinals scored five-straight before Kam Burton’s three right before the buzzer closed the game’s scoring.

McFarlane picked up his sixth double-double of the season, being the game’s top scorer and rebounder with 20 points and 12 boards. Four of his six made field goals came from above the arc while hitting all four of his free throw attempts. He also had two assists, two steals, and a block. Caldwell finished the night with 13 points, hitting a three-pointer on the night and all six of his free throw attempts. He also grabbed five rebounds and had a pair of assists. Rowbury’s first double-double of the year saw him score 10 points and grab 10 rebounds. He hit four shots, both of his free throws, and had a block and a steal.

After shooting 44.4% in the first half, Southeastern struggled to find the range in the second half, hitting just 28.1% of their shots in the last 20 minutes to finish a 35.6% in the contest. Much like SLU, Lamar hit 44.4% of its shots in the first half, but unlike the Lions, the Cardinals hit 53.9% of its shots in the last 20 minutes to finish the game hitting 49.1% of the team’s total shots. Lamar also connected on 50% from deep, hitting 11 of 22 three-point shots. Lamar also enjoyed a distinct advantage in points off turnovers, turning 14 Lions turnovers into 24 points while Lamar’s eight turnovers were turned into 11 SLU points.

The Lions look to get back in the win column on Monday, ending the quick Texas road trip in Houston against Houston Christian. Tip-off of Monday’s contest against the Huskies (5-13, 3-4 SLC) is set for 6 p.m. at Sharp Gymnasium. The game against HCU will be live streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available through the host institution.

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TICKETS
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