Jan. 7, 2012

BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University women's basketball team saw its 11-game homecourt winning streak come to an end with a 62-37 loss to Central Arkansas in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Saturday.

Lamar (8-7 overall, 0-1 conference) struggled from the field throughout the game, shooting just 26 percent (13-of-50). Lamar was 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from 3-point range.

"You're not going to win many games when you shoot 26 percent," Lamar coach Larry Tidwell said. "It was just one of those days."

Monique Whittaker led the Lady Cardinals with 10 points, while Kalis Loyd finished with eight points and tied a career high with three blocks.

Lamar held early leads of 2-0 and 4-3, but Central went on an 8-0 run to build an 11-4 edge with 11:35 remaining in the first half. Danielle Heithoff stopped UCA's outburst with a layup to make it 11-6, but Central Arkansas scored the next six points to make it 17-6 with 8:15 remaining in the half. Lamar never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Micah Rice led Central Arkansas (11-3, 1-0) with 13 points. Nakeia Guiden had 11 points, while Megan Herbert finished with 10 points.

Central Arkansas shot 45.6 (26-of-57) from the field and held a 39-29 rebounding advantage over Lamar.

Lamar returns to action at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at defending Southland Conference champion McNeese State. That game is part of a doubleheader, with the Lamar men taking on McNeese State in the second game that is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start. The women's game will be aired live on LamarCardinals.com, while the men's game will be broadcast live on KLVI (AM 560) with a simulcast on LamarCardinals.com.

The McNeese State contest opens a three-game road swing for the Lady Cardinals, who don't return home until hosting Northwestern State at 7 p.m. Jan. 25.

LAMAR