PORT ARTHUR, Texas – Zion Young led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points as the Lamar State College Port Arthur Seahawks stunned the defending national champion Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals in a Region XIV men's basketball game at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center on Saturday.

 

Nisani Mendez and Martins Adonry added 10 points apiece in the win, while Hayden Underwood and Christian Andrews each had eight points and three assists.

 

"This was a great win," LSCPA coach Lance Madison said. "We handled their pressure and kept them off balance."

 

The Seahawks (10-7 overall, 4-5 Region XIV) led 30-24 at halftime and held off a late Cardinals rally. The Seahawks were 12-of-12 from the free-throw line in the second half. Andrews hit four free throws while J'Mar Franklin drained a pair of clutch free throws in the waning moments after the Cardinals (14-3, 7-2) were forced to foul at the end.

 

"We maintained our composure and closed out the victory," Madison said. "I'm very proud of the way we played today."

The Seahawks held the Cardinals to their lowest scoring output of the season. Trinity Valley entered the game averaging 75.3 points per game. The Cardinals shot 34.4 percent (21-of-61) from the field, including 25 percent (6-of-24) from 3-point range.

 

"We knew they struggle in the halfcourt game," Madison said. "We also did a good job in contesting their shots."

 

Isaiah Brooks led LSCPA with eight rebounds. In addition to his 10 points, Adonry added seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

 

The Seahawks have a pair of road games on tap. LSCPA is at Angelina College at 7 p.m. Wednesday before heading to Paris Junior College at noon Jan. 24. LSCPA returns home as it looks to improve upon its 10-1 record at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center when it hosts Lee College at 7 p.m. Jan. 28.