Dawkins, Brown Lead Lamar Past Northwestern State, 91-82 :: Cards snap seven-game losing streak to Demons

Jan. 26, 2008

NATCHITOCHES, La. - Kenny Dawkins scored 18 points and dished out nine assists, while Jay Brown added a season-high 15 points off the bench as Lamar defeated Northwestern State, 91-82, to end a seven-game losing streak to the Demons on Saturday afternoon.

Lamar (10-8, 4-1 Southland) also got 15 points from Darren Hopkins and 13 from Matthew Barrow in addition to seven rebounds from each. The Cardinals got excellent production from their bench to the tune of 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting and 16 rebounds.

The Cardinals continued their strong offensive board work with 20 rebounds that they turned into 14 points. Lamar also scored 32 points off 22 NSU turnovers, with many of their 23 fast break points coming in transition.

Lamar held a 42-29 rebounding edge.

For NSU (7-13, 3-3 Southland), Trey Gilder led the team with 24 points and seven rebounds as they dropped their third-consecutive game. The Demons shot 63 percent in the first half before finishing the game at 51 percent.

Lamar made five of first seven baskets in jumping out to a 14-5 lead before NSU went on a 13-0 run to claim a 22-19 edge with 11:11 left. Later in the half Lamar got a pair of baskets from Hopkins on a three in the corner and a fast break layup to take a 34-33 lead with 7:00. Dawkins followed with one of his three first-half steals and layup to make it a 36-33 game.

NSU took a 43-42 lead on a Michael McConathy bucket after a turnover with 3:04, but consecutive McThay fast break layups gave the lead right back to the Cardinals 46-43. Lamar went into the locker room with a 50-47 lead.

The Demons opened the half on an 8-2 run to take a 55-52 lead. The Cardinals then went on an 22-4 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 74-59. The run featured seven points from Barrow and five apiece from Dawkins and Nabors.

Then NSU started its comeback. The Demons put together a pair of 7-0 runs and trimmed the Cardinal lead to 83-80 on a Gilder three-point play with 2:55 remaining. Dawkins made a jumper in the lane before Colby Bargeman answered with a jumper of his own and that was the last time NSU would score. Dawkins made a layup and a pair of free throw, followed by a pair of freebies from Brown to close out the scoring.

Lamar will have a week off before playing host to McNeese State in a doubleheader with the Cardinal and Cowgirl women on Saturday at the Montagne Center. The women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m. with the men to follow at 7 p.m.