The marathon 22-game Region XIV Conference men's schedule is at the halfway point.

Surviving another upset bid, the No. 2-ranked Cardinals remained tied atop the standings (with Angelina) at 10-1 after a 56-52 win against Lee in what first-year head coach Greg Heiar described as a "knockdown dragout" Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Gym.

The Cardinals (20-1) are scheduled to head into the second half of conference play on the road this week. They play Wednesday in Corsicana against Navarro at 7 p.m. and go Saturday to battle Lamar State-Port Arthur at 4 p.m.

The Cardinals led 30-19 at the half and were up 48-38 with 7:38 to go in the game. They withstood a final Lee surge to get the win.

M.J. Wardlow pumped in 17 points to pace the Cardinal scoring.

Tyler Smith had eight points for the Cardinals, including a pair of three-pointers.

Charles Outlaw and Zati Louback had 10 rebounds each to lead the Cardinals.

Lee dropped to 9-9 and 6-5.