Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — Lamar recorded 24 steals and converted those turnovers into 55 points cruising to a 122-58 victory over Champion Christian on Saturday afternoon at the Montagne Center.

The victory moved the Cardinals (7-6) back over .500 on the season and put the final touches on a sweep of the current three-game homestand.

“I thought we played unselfishly today,” said LU head coach Tic Price. “We finished the day with 24 steals, forced them into 33 turnovers and outrebounded them on the glass. We also had six players in double figures and got great effort from everyone.”

Six different Cardinals finished the day in double figures, including three reserves, led by 19 points from senior Nick Garth. Every Cardinal scored at least one basket as LU shot better than 66 percent from the field, including an 11-of-27 (.407) performance from three-point range. The Cardinals also outrebounded Champion, 37-24.

All but two Cardinals recorded a steal in the contest as LU posted a 55-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Big Red also used its size to dominate in the low post recording a 66-12 advantage in points in the paint.

Garth was joined in double figures by sophomore Avery Sullivan, who scored 17 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the field. Juniors Michael Kolawole (15 points), V.J. Holmes (13) and T.J. Atwood (11) and freshman Davion Buster (10) also scored in double figures.

Tarrance Davis led Champion with 14 points. The Tigers finished the day shooting better than 40 percent from the field, including an 11-of-25 (.440) from three-point range.

The problem for Champion didn’t come in their ability to shoot, but in their ability to get off shots. LU’s defense forced Champion into consecutive shot clock violations early in the opening half to spark their first run of the game. It was more of the same in the second half as the Cards’ defense opened the final 20 minutes of play by forcing three-straight turnovers.

The Cardinals return to action Wednesday when they travel to Houston to open Southland Conference play against Houston Baptist. The game against the Huskies is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. from Sharp Gym. The game will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.