March 5, 2011

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Lamar University women's basketball team saw its dreams of the No. 1 seed in the upcoming State Farm Southland Conference Tournament come to an end with a 70-69 loss to host McNeese State on Saturday afternoon.

McNeese State (23-6 overall, 15-1 SLC) scored the final seven points of the game to get the win and the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Lamar (24-6, 13-3), which saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end, will be the No. 2 seed in the tourney, which gets under way Tuesday in Katy, Texas.

Kendra Wells hit a jumper with 3.8 seconds remaining for the winning points. Lamar held a 68-59 lead with 2:52 remaining, but were outscored 11-1 the rest of the way.

"We made some bad decisions and took some bad shots," Lamar coach Larry Tidwell said. "On defense, we didn't defend and let people wide open for shots. We left (Wells) wide open from 15 feet and she hit the shot."

Kalis Loyd led Lamar with 25 points and eight rebounds. Jenna Plumley had 16 points and six steals, while Ang Green had 11 points. Trashanna Smith, who played in her 123rd game as a Lady Cardinal, tying Brittney Williams for the school carrer record, finished with six points.

Caitlyn Baggett led McNeese State with 20 points. Well had 15 points, while Ashlyn Baggett finished with 11 points.

The Lady Cardinals will face the No. 7 seed in the first round of the tournament at noon Tuesday. The loser of Saturday's later game between Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State will be the No. 7 seed.

"We just have to regroup," Loyd said. "This isn't the end of our season."

LAMAR