BEAUMONT, Texas — In an exciting showdown, Alexis Marmolejos dazzled on the court, racking up 24 points and leading Lamar to a thrilling 61-58 overtime victory against East Texas A&M on Saturday night.

Marmolejos demonstrated his shooting skills, connecting on 6 of 16 attempts overall and successfully sinking 4 out of 10 from beyond the arc. His performance was rounded out by making 8 of 10 from the free-throw line, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure. This win improves the Cardinals’ record to 11-9 overall and 6-3 in the Southland Conference. In support of Marmolejos, Cody Pennebaker contributed 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Ja’Sean Jackson finished with 10 points himself, shooting 3 for 9 overall and hitting 2 of 4 from three-point territory.

On the opposing side, Scooter Williams Jr. led the Lions with 12 points in the losing effort. TJ Thomas added a solid performance as well, scoring 11 points and securing eight rebounds. Additionally, Khaliq Abdul-Mateen chipped in with eight points. Unfortunately for East Texas A&M, this defeat marked their eighth consecutive loss of the season, dropping their record to 2-18, and they remain winless in their conference, sitting at 0-9.

The intensity and close scoreline highlight the competitive spirit of the game, particularly during the overtime period, which was critical in determining the outcome. The Cardinals’ victory stands as a significant boost to their season, while the Lions will need to regroup and adapt as they aim to break their losing streak in upcoming matches.