<p>BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar raced out to an early lead and held on, defeating Northwestern State 31-23 on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Cardinals (2-3, 2-3 Southland Conference) built a 28-0 lead before allowing Northwestern State (0-4, 0-4) onto the scoreboard for a 28-7 advantage at the break, and then held on as the Demons outscored them 19-3 after halftime.</p>
<p>Jalen Dummett passed for 94 yards and a touchdown, and also carried 13 times for 84 yards and another TD for Lamar. Chaz Ward gained 68 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown on the game’s opening drive. </p>
<p>Kaleb Fletcher threw three interceptions in Northwestern State’s first four drives and was replaced by Bryce Rivers, who passed for 136 yards and a touchdown. Scooter Adams rolled up 212 yards on 18 carries and scored a pair of TDs — a 63-yarder for the Demons first score of the game and a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Adams is the first Northwestern State player to gain more than 200 yards in a game since De’Mard Llorens in 2016, also against Lamar.</p>
<p>With two touchdowns and two two-point conversion passes in the fourth quarter, Northwestern State came within eight points with 1:18 left. The Demons onside kick bounced high and went out of bounds, allowing Lamar to kneel and run out the clock.</p>
<p>The game, originally scheduled for Feb. 20, was delayed by an ice storm that disrupted travel throughout the region.</p>
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