Jan. 28, 2012

THIBODAUX, La. - Gia Ayers and Kalis Loyd each had double-doubles, but the Lamar University women's basketball team dropped a 70-64 decision to host Nicholls in a Southland Conference game Saturday.

Ayers had a career-high 15 points and tied a career high with 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. She also handed out a career-best eight assists to miss out on a triple-double by two asides. Loyd had 12 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and 17th of her career.

Taylor Hays added a career-high 15 points for Lamar (10-10 overall, 2-4 Southland), but it wasn't enough for the Lady Cardinals.

LiAnn McCarthy poured in a career-high 24 points for Nicholls (11-9, 2-4), which shaped a seven-game losing streak to Lamar that dated back to 2008.

Nicholls went on an early 12-0 run to build a 14-4 lead with 14:18 remaining in the first half, and led 40-21 with 3:13 left in the half before Lamar closed out the half on a 5-0 run to make it 40-26 at intermission.

Lamar cut the lead to 63-61 on a Loyd layup with 4:08 left, but the Lady Cardinals could never regain the lead.

The Lady Cardinals held a 43-27 rebounding edge, but were hurt by 20 turnovers.

"We had our chances," Lamar coach Larry Tidwell said. "We played hard."

Lamar returns to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday when it hosts Southeastern Louisiana in a Southland Conference game at the Montagne Center. For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit LamarCardinals.com.

LAMAR