Jan. 7, 2006

BEAUMONT - After rallying from a 14 point deficit to take a four-point lead in the second half, the Lamar Lady Cardinals could not hold off the Texas State Bobcats in the closing minutes, falling 73-67 at the Montagne Center Saturday night.

The loss drops Lamar to 5-6 on the season, and evens their Southland Conference record to 1-1, while Texas State improves to 10-3 on the year, and 2-0 in SLC play.

Trailing by 11 at halftime, the Lady Cardinals saw the Bobcats lead swell to 14 on a three pointer by Texas State's Tamara Thompson with 18:29 to play in the game. That was as large as the lead would get in the game, as Lamar slowly began to chip away.

Lamar continued to close the gap with pressure defense on the perimeter and an assertive effort on the offensive end of the floor. The Lady Cardinals eventually took a four point lead with a 21-7 run capped off by an Aida Bakhos steal and layup with 7:04 to play, but a three pointer by Texas State's Jenna Hoffman stopped the run and cut the Lamar lead to one point at 58-57.

Hoffman's three helped the Bobcats quickly toke the lead back by starting an 11-4 run which Lamar could never overcome. The Lady Cardinals had several chances to tie the game at 70, but missed their final five shots in the last 27 seconds of the game.

The Lady Cardinals were led by LaToya Carson's 18 points, while Audrea Samuel picked up her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds while blocking three shots. Dionne Pounds chipped in with 10 points in the game, sinking all six of the free throw attempts.

Texas State was led by Thompson's 22 points, while Erica Putnam added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Cardinals (5-6, 1-1) will be in action again Thursday night when they take on Stephen F. Austin in the Montagne Center at 7 p.m.