BEAUMONT, Texas -- Ladon Carter scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds helping Tennessee Tech hand Lamar its fifth consecutive loss, winning 79-74 on Saturday afternoon.

Tennessee Tech (6-6) shot a damaging 67 percent in the first half, hitting 14-of-21 attempts from the field and took a 42-29 lead into the break, despite turning the ball over 12 times.

Lamar (1-8), playing its first game in two weeks trailed by 19 at 15:10 in the second but surged back over the next 11 minutes to tie the score at 66. Tennessee Tech answered the wake-up call with a 10-2 run and led 76-68 with 0:30 to play. The Golden Eagles held on to the win hitting three free throw attempts at the end.

Marcus Owens notched 19 points and Nimrod Hillard added 19 points for the Cardinals who were outrebounded by Tennessee Tech 34-22.