Dec. 2, 2006

BEAUMONT, Texas - In her first action of the 2006-07 season, lady Cardinal forward Shaquita Coffey made up for lost time as she posted a double-double, leading the Lamar University women's basketball team to a 73-51 win over the Belhaven Lady Blazers Saturday night at the Montagne Center.

Lamar and Belhaven battled back and forth during the opening 10 minutes of the first half before the Lady Cardinals began to build a lead. The LU offense sparked a run midway through the period which helped them take a 34-20 lead into halftime.

The Lady Cards continued their solid offensive play in the second half, knocking down 52 percent of their shots from the field as they erupted for 39 points. The half started with junior Jana Mustard scoring six quick points, and was paced by the inside play of Coffey midway though the half.

Coffey finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Cardinals, while senior LaToya Carson added 13 points and Mustard chipped in with 10. Junior Aida Bakhos also had a solid performance in the game, scoring seven points and grabbing five boards.

The Lady Blazers were led by Roxanna Rogers who scored seven points.

Lamar won the battle on the glass as they out rebounded Belhaven 42-31 in the game, while shooting at a 51 percent clip to the Lady Blazers 34.5 percent shooting from the field.

The Lady Cardinals will be in action again Tuesday night when they take on the Centenary Ladies in Shreveport, La. at 7 p.m.