March 7, 2007

HOUSTON - The Lamar University women's basketball team had their season brought to an end by the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks on Wednesday, falling 73-65 in the opening round of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Southland Conference Tournament at the Campbell Center in Houston.

With 6:33 to play in the ballgame, the Lady Cardinals closed to within two points of SFA at 63-61, but could not get any closer as the Ladyjacks closed out the game on a 10-4 run. The Jacks held Lamar to just one field goal in the final six and a half minutes, a layup by Shontrice Blanche with 36 seconds to play in the game.

Trailing 39-34 at halftime, the Lady Cards came out quickly in the second half, narrowing the gap to one point with 17:44 to play at 43-42. The Lady Cards could not capitalize on their hot start, as SFA quickly responded with a 5-0 run to build the lead back to six at 48-42.

Lamar closed to within one point again at the 14:44 mark on a LaToya Carson jump shot, but once again fell victim to a Ladyjack run which opened the margin back up to eight points.

In the first half Stephen F. Austin opened as much as a nine point lead, but the Lady Cardinals were able to jeep the game close by knocking down 11 of their 15 free throw attempts. Lamar also kept the score close as Alexis Timpone knocked down all three of her three point attempts.

For the game the Lady Cardinals were led by senior LaToya Carson, who scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while fellow senior Dionne Pounds posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Brittney Williams also finished in double digit scoring, with 12 points.

Stephen F. Austin was led by Nikki Carr's 21 points and nine rebounds, while Natalie Kizzee who scored 11 points. The Ladyjacks also got a solid rebounding performance from Charity Egenti, who pulled down 18 boards.

As a team the Lady Cardinals out shot SFA to a tune of 37.3 percent to 33.8 percent, but were beaten on the boards 51 to 44. The Ladyjacks knocked down five three point baskets in the game, to Lamar's three, all of which came in the first half by way of Timpone.

The loss closes out the 2006-07 season for the Lady Cardinals, who finish with a 13-17 record.