Feb. 4, 2006

BEAUMONT - The Lamar University women's basketball team dropped its second straight game Saturday night, falling 67-54 to the McNeese State Cowgirls at the Montagne Center.

The Lady Cardinals failed to get into a rhythm all game, as the Cowgirls disrupted the Lamar offense with hounding defensive pressure which caused 23 turnovers. McNeese's Marquita Williams proved to be the biggest obstacle for the Lady Cards, picking up eight steals, which helped the Cowgirls to 22 points off of turnovers.

The Cowgirls jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead and built their lead up to as much as 18 on several occasions in the second half. The Lady Cardinals were never able to get closer than eight points in the second half, as McNeese kept pressuring Lamar into turnovers.

LaToya Carson led the Lady Cardinals with her first double-double of the season, picking up 11 points and 11 rebounds, as Chelsea Gugliotta and Bridgette Brackens each added 10 points.

McNeese was led by Regina Spivey's 19 points, while Shamika Stewart and Williams added 13 and 11.

Lamar out rebounded McNeese 35 to 29, while the Cowgirls out shot LU 43.9 percent to 40.9 percent.

The lady Cardinals will be in action again Thursday night, when they take on Texas State-San Marcos in San Marcos at 7 p.m.