Dec. 28, 2006

BEAUMONT - The Lamar University women's basketball team snapped their four game losing streak Saturday night, posting a 61-56 win over the Chicago State Cougars at the Montagne Center.

The Lady Cardinals, who improved to 4-8 with the win, will be in action again on Saturday night at 7:00 when they host Albany at the Montagne Center.

After losing their lead early in the second half, the Lady Cardinals battled back from a five-point deficit in the second half for the victory. The comeback was keyed by the hot shooting of Dionne Pounds who scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the second half.

Pounds connected on a triple with 10:49 to play to cut the Cougar lead to two points and the Lady Cards tied the game on a layup by Quiana N'Joku who then sank a free throw to give LU the lead with 9:28 to play. Pounds then drained another three pointer with 8:24 to play, giving Lamar a four point lead.

Chicago State responded with a 5-0 run of their own to grab a one point lead, but Pounds struck from deep again with 2:51 to play and gave Lamar a two point lead. After a jumper by Ayesha Neasley tied the game at 56 with 1:15 to play, the Lady Cards were able to finish the game on a 5-0 run.

The run stared with a Shaquita Coffey layup, and was capped off by a three-point play by Pounds, who sank a jumper as she was fouled on the baseline and drained the ensuing free throw to give LU a 61-56 lead.

In the first half the Lady Cardinals held as much as a nine point lead, but the Cougars were able to whittle away at the score, making it a one point game at the half at 29-28.

Besides Pounds 20 points, the Lady Cards received solid performances from Brittney Williams who scored 12 points, and Coffey who scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds. N'Joku also had a strong effort off the bench for Lamar, scoring nine points on 3-4 shooting.

Chicago State, who dropped to 4-10 on the season with the loss, was led by Jasmin Dixon's 15 points.