University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
vs. Lamar <BR>(Top of the World Classic)
Basketball Opens Season With 79-76 Win Over Lamar
11/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2005
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Southern Miss Golden Eagles got off to the start it wanted in the BP Top of the World Classic, defeating Lamar, 79-76, Friday at the Carlson Center here in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Jason Forte led the Golden Eagles (1-0) with 18 points, while Kyle Lamonte added 17, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line. The Cardinals dropped to 0-1 on the season.
Southern Miss now advances to the winner's bracket of the tournament, facing Denver at 11 p.m., CT, Saturday. Lamar takes on Kennesaw State in the loser's bracket contest at 5:30 p.m., CT.
Down 27-26 at the half, the Golden Eagles chipped away at the league and built a 10-point advantage, aided by a 15-4 run that was capped off by Jarekus Singleton's 3-pointer with 13:15 remaining.
The lead was nine points with a little under five minutes left in the game, but Lamar battled back, using an 11-2 run to tie the game at 70-70, with 1:13 left to go.
Southern Miss went on to hit 9-of-12 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Following Forte and Lamonte, Singleton and Shaun Simpson each had 13 points. Lamonte led the team with six assists, and Forte added nine rebounds.
Jeremy Long paced Lamar with 22 points and four assists, while Alan Daniels added 20.
