Hot shooting fuels MBB in Texas

BORGER, Texas — Head men's basketball coach Justin Cellars was anxious before Tuesday night's game at Frank Phillips College. Part of the anxiety was playing a team who had beat his squad three weeks earlier. However, more of it was due to a nine-day break between the Runnin' Lopes last game played. 

 "I am proud of our group's mental toughness on the road tonight. It's extremely tough to be on the road as long as we have been, but when you add the nine day break between games that we just came out of, it makes it immensely more difficult," said Cellars after the win. "Especially when you have to come back and play a talented and well coached Frank Phillips team in their building."

 Rust was not a factor early, as Lamar jumped out early and used a blistering first half shooting the ball to grab a 50-41 lead at the break.  Lamar hit 20 of their 27 first half shots, 74-percent from the floor, including a three at the buzzer by Tim Montgomery. 

 The Plainsmen used a zone in the second half to try and slow the Lamar offense. Nevertheless, the Lopes still scored 37 points in the second stanza and finished the game shooting 58-percent from the floor and 43-percent from three-point range. Frank Phillips cut it to a one-possession game late in the second half, but free-throws and timely stops shut down the thought of a comeback.

 Lamar was paced by Kris Cook, who turned in a game-high 26 points, and added five rebounds. They also got 17-points and 7 rebounds from Khalil Haywood, and 13 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and four assists from Thurbil Bile. Josh Jones Jr. added ten points and seven rebounds off of the bench, while Montgomery chipped in eight points and seven assists.  

 "Credit to our guys for their effort and togetherness to get the job done," later added Cellars.  

 Lamar (7-4) will next play in Windsor, Colo. as part of the Region IX crossover