Jan. 8, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas - Monique Whittaker's game-high 21 points led the Lamar University women's basketball team to a 77-67 win over visiting Central Arkansas in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Saturday.
Whittaker was one of three scorers in double figures for the Lady Cardinals (12-3 overall, 1-0 SLC). Jasmin Henderson came off the bench to score a season-high 17 points, while Kalis Loyd added 13 points for Lamar, which ran its winning streak at the Montagne Center to 21 games.
Henderson was a sizzling 5-of-6 from 3-point range for the Lady Cardinals, who were 8-of-19 as a team from beyond the arc.
"I feel like I know my role," said Henderson, who added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. "I feel more comfortable now."
The efforts of Henderson, Whittaker and Loyd were especially key against the Sugar Bears (8-6, 0-1) as guard Jenna Plumley struggled offensively while forward Trashanna Smith missed most of the first half after crashing hard to the floor. Plumley finished with just six points on 1-of-7 shooting, including 0-of-6 from downtown. Plumley was 4-of-4 from the line to boost her percentage to 92.7 (38-of-41) for the year.
"Everybody is going to have bad shooting days," said Plumley, who contributed four assists and three steals. "This was not my day. But Jasmine had a great shooting day. I kept telling her to put it up."
Lamar coach Larry Tidwell knows the Lady Cardinals will need to get balanced production throughout the Southland Conference season if they hope to defend their regular-season and tournament titles.
"Everyone will give us their best shot,: he said. "Everyone will key on Jenna. Others are going to have to step it up. Today, we did that."
Megan Herbert had a double-double for Central Arkansas with 1 points and 17 rebounds. Micah Rice led the Sugar Bears in scoring with 18 points.
Lamar returns to action at 5 p.m. Wednesday when it hosts McNeese State in the first part of a Southland Conference hoops doubleheader at the Montagne Center. The Lamar men will host McNeese State in the 7:35 p.m. nightcap.
For ticket information, visit the official Web site of Lamar athletics: www.LamarCardinals.com, or call (409) 880-1715.
LAMAR
