BEAUMONT — Lamar’s basketball alumni were watching. Coaching great Billy Tubbs was watching. More than 2,800 were watching … all to see if the Cardinals could win its 1,000th game all-time.

And beat Sam Houston State.

“I did let them know, there were some guys in the stands that have had good careers here and won a lot of games. … So, in my pre-game speech, I did mention that we had a chance to win 1,000 and there were some people before us to make that possible. They’re sitting in the stands tonight.”

Nick Garth sank an all-important three-point basket and made 4 of 4 free throws in the final 27 seconds, as the Cards handed the hard-charging Bearkats their first Southland Conference loss of the season, 75-72, at Montagne Center.

“We had a lot on the line, almost as much as them being undefeated,” Garth said. “It was an honor being a part of this 1,000th win for the school. It was good having everybody back here, coach Tubbs and his team here and James Gulley getting his jersey retired. So, it was a lot. We really wanted to get this win.”

Garth totaled 21 points and made 9 of 9 free throws for the Cardinals (14-12, 7-6 Southland), winners of three straight and six of eight. Davion Buster scored 16 points, Christian Barrett registered 14 points (12-of-17 free-throw shooting) and 13 rebounds and Josh Nzeakor turned in 11 points in the win.

But Buster lived up to his name and got Lamar to bust out of an early shooting slump.

The seldom-used freshman point guard from Austin had 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a pair of three-point baskets. Buster played a season-high 24 minutes in only his 12th career LU game and helped the Cardinals turn a 14.3-percent shooting clip through the first 13 minutes into 46.2 percent (12 of 26) by halftime.

Buster keyed a 14-2 run for the Cardinals, who went into halftime leading 41-26. Chances are, he earned more playing time for the future.

“Hopefully, but, hey, if I’m on the bench, I’m going to cheer my team on, regardless,” Buster said. “… I just stay patient. Being on the bench, it’s not all bad. I feel like me yelling, cheering them on and helping them get excited, like crunk and all, helps them do better.”

This time, the roles were reversed. Those on the Cardinals’ bench and the 2,855 within the Montagne Center cheered on Buster during a breakout performance.

Then again, no large lead in the Southland is ever safe.

The Bearkats (17-9, 12-1) turned to Kai Mitchell and Cameron Delaney to make a game of it. Mitchell scored 16 of his 17 points in the second half on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor.

Delaney, one of two brothers on the team, had 13 points for the game, including a putback with 12:15 left to get SHSU within 49-41, its first time within double digits since a Buster trey made it 33-23 at the 2:28 mark of the first half.

SHSU got within one basket on four occasions in the final 5 minutes. Marcus Harris (11 points) made a three-point shot with 56 seconds left to close the gap to 68-67.

Garth responded with 27 seconds left on an off-balance three-ball as the shot clock ran down. Delaney drew a foul and made two free throws, and Garth made up for it with a pair of his own.

Albert Almanza cut the SHSU deficit to 73-72 on a contested three-pointer from the left corner with 7.7 seconds left, but Garth went back to the line for two more made free throws 1.5 ticks later. The Bearkats failed to get a clean look at a three-point shot before the buzzer sounded.

“I had to take it for my teammates because we wanted this win bad,” Garth said.

Aside from the win, the Cardinals had a lot to celebrate.

The 1968-69 Southland runner-up and 1978-79 Southland champion Cardinal teams were honored for their anniversaries. The latter team earned Lamar its first-ever NCAA tournament victory over Detroit and lost the next game to eventual champion Michigan State, then led by Magic Johnson.

Lamar’s coach at the time who found greater success at Oklahoma, was at press row.

No. 54 was retired for the second time at Lamar as James Gulley, a standout big man for the Cards from 1984-88, had his jersey unveiled.

Clarence Kea wore No. 54 at Lamar from 1976-80.

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews