Feb. 22, 2007
Corpus Christi, Texas - The Lamar University women's basketball team dropped an 85-81 overtime decision to the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders Thursday night in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Leading by three points with 30 seconds to play, the lady Cardinals appeared poised to pick up their second road win of the season, but an off balance three pointer by Kirbria Lewis knotted the game at 72. Lamar had a shot at winning the game at the buzzer, but Aida Bakhos's baseline jumper rimmed out, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime the Islanders jumped out to a quick six-point lead at 78-72, but Lamar was able to stay in the game with solid defense and strong rebounding. The Lady Cards closed to within one point with 19 seconds to play at 82-81 on a Dionne Pounds layup, and appeared as if they would take the lead when they forced a TAMU-CC turnover.
Jasmine Stewart snared an arrant pass by Lewis, but was trapped and had the ball knocked away before she could get a shot off. Jenisis Shaw came up with the loose ball and Stewart was immediately called for an intentional foul with six seconds to play.
Lewis sank both free throws off of the intentional foul and Lamar was forced to quickly foul the Islanders again with 4.6 seconds to play. Shaye Montgomery made the first of two free throws giving Corpus a four point lead, sealing the win at 85-81.
In the first half the Lady Cardinals controlled the game for the first 18 minutes, but five turnovers in the final two minutes enabled Corpus Christi to tie the game at 28 heading into the break.
For the game the Lady Cardinals were led by Pounds who scored a career-high 30 points, while LaToya Carson added 17 points. Brittney Williams added 14 points and Stewart had the best game of her career with nine points and nine rebounds.
Corpus had five players finish the game in double figures, led by Lewis who scored 27 points and passed out nine assists, while Elisa Beagle added 17 points. Shaw added 14 points, Nicole Duncan added 13 and Jillianne Duffey had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
As a team the Lady Cards shot 44.3 percent to Corpus' 45.1 percent while LU out rebounded the Islanders 46 to 36. Lamar turned the ball over 21 times to A&M Corpus Christi's 19 turnovers, but the biggest difference in the game was free throw shooting as Corpus sank 17 of 22 freebies and LU was 14 of 22.
The loss drops Lamar's season record to 11-15 and 6-7 in Southland Conference play, while Corpus improves to 13-13 on the year, and 8-5 in SLC play.
The Lady Cardinals will be in action again on Saturday afternoon when they take on the McNeese State Cowgirls at 1 p.m. in Lake Charles.
