Box Score SALT LAKE CITY, Ut- Savannah State overcame a 12-point first half deficit to take a 33-31 halftime lead but could not hold on as Lamar broke open a close game with a 12-5 run to win their first game of the season in a 75-66 victory over the Tigers in the first round of the Global Sports Hoops Showcase played at the Huntsman Center.
 
The Tigers trailed 59-52 with 7:30 left in the game but a layup by Saadiq Muhammad followed by a jumper from Javaris Jenkins pulled SSU within three with 5:51 on the clock.
 
Lamar answered with seven straight points as part of a 12-5 run to grab a 71-61 lead with just under a minute left.
 
SSU responded to the Cardinals run with a layup and free throw by Terel Hall and a tip-in by Jeremiah Hill to close their gap to 71-66 with 36 seconds on the clock.
 
The Tigers would not score again as Lamar closed the game with four free throws for a nine-point victory.
 
Savannah State shot 50 percent from the field in the opening period while the Cardinals shot 50 percent from the floor after halftime.
 
The Tigers ended the game shooting 43.5 percent while Lamar shot 45.8 percent.
 
Lamar was able to make 16 of 20 free throw attempts while SSU only made 7 of 15 shots.
 
SSU, who dropped their second straight game after leading at halftime, won the rebounding battle 40 to 33.
 
Deven Williams scored 14 points for the Tigers (2-4) while Joshua Montgomery had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Hill added 12 points off the bench while Muhammad contributed 7 rebounds and 5 blocks.
 
With the contest tied at two, Lamar strings together a 14-2 run to go ahead 16-4 with 15:04 on the clock.
 
SSU whittled away at the Cardinals lead and tied the score at 20 with 7:07 left in the half.
 
Lamar went ahead 25-20 but seven straight points gave the Tigers a 27-25 edge with 2:35 on the clock.
 
The Tigers led by as many as four in the first period and led 33-31 at the break.
 
A layup by Jyles Smith gave SSU a 35-31 lead early in the second half but the lead never got any bigger.
 
The game featured seven ties.
 
Donovan Ross led Lamar (1-3) with 23 points and 11 rebound.