Lamar State is home Saturday vs. Bossier Parish CC

[LamarStatesports]

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team hopes to improve their conference record Saturday, when Bossier Parish Community College visits the Carl Parker Center for a 2 p.m. game.

Lamar State (14-5 overall and 4-4 in Region XIV play) had an up-and-down week after last Saturday’s impressive victory over No. 8 Navarro College.

The Seahawks went on the road Wednesday and let a victory slip away, 56-53, at Region XIV rival Kilgore College, followed by a Thursday non-conference 72-54 win in Marshall, Tx., against the Wiley College junior varsity.

Lamar State head coach Matt Cross was pleased with his team’s effort at Kilgore, but was disappointed with the outcome.

“The challenge to win on the road is daunting in this conference. We fought hard at Kilgore, and the team stayed focused, despite having a one-hour delay because of tornado warning, which could have been a distraction for a young team to overcome,” Cross said. “We were up 50-49 in the closing minutes, but had two unforced turnovers and could not get a call to go our way. I was proud that our guys bounced right back and won Thursday.”

That victory gave this year’s Lamar State team the best-ever season record since the program began in 2004. The 2007-08 team posted a 13-13 overall record.

Bossier Parish (6-8, 1-7) currently is in last place in the North Zone of Region XIV. The Cavaliers haven’t won a game since Dec.7, and lost their last five starts.

“At this point in the season, we have to take one game at a time, without looking ahead,” Cross said. “That starts Saturday. We need to continue our good play at home to defeat Bossier Parish.”

Lamar State will be on the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Tyler Junior College.

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How did the game turn out Saturday against Bossier?

[LamarStatesports]

I didn't get a press release out because the game was moved from Port Arthur to the McDonald Gym at Lamar University because of the ship collision that caused an evacuation of parts of downtown Port Arthur.

But the Seahawks didn't let the change affect their play as they won 91-76 in their third game in four days.

Sophomore guard Kavon Rose had 18 points in the first half and ended the game with a team-high 23 points. Four other Seahawks also scored in double figures -- Ahyaro Phillips (14), Nick Walters (12), Dion Waiters (11) and Von Jones (10).

The win moves Lamar State to 15-5 overall and 5-4 in Region XIV action. The Seahawks currently are third in the South Zone, behind San Jacinto (6-3) and Angelina (6-3).

Paris Junior College (7-2) leads the North Zone.

The top 12 teams in the 14-team conference qualify for the Region XIV Tournament, which is set for March 5-8 at the University of Texas-Tyler.