Feb. 18, 2012

BEAUMONT, Texas - Kalis Loyd poured in a game-high 22 points to lead the Lamar University women's basketball team to its fifth straight win, a 63-49 decision over visiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a Southland Conference contest.

Monique Whittaker added 19 points for the Lady Cardinals (15-11, 7-5), who posted their 200th all-time victory in the Montagne Center. Lamar is 200-126 in the venue.

"I am proud of the things Kalis did today," Lamar coach Larry Tidwell said. "Monique Whittaker did a lot of great things too."

The 49 points allowed by the Lady Cardinals were the fewest given up by Lamar in a conference game this season. In its five-game winning streak, Lamar has allowed an average of 56.4 points per game.

"It comes down to that we're playing better defense," Tidwell said. "We're doing a better job of playing together."

Lamar held Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (8-16, 4-8) to just 36.4 percent (20-of-55) shooting from the field. The Lady Cardinals converted 23 Islanders turnovers into 20 points. Lamar held a 44-37 rebounding edge for the game, with Gia Ayers collecting seven rebounds and Kalis Loyd pulling down six boards.

The Lady Cardinals held a 26-22 lead at halftime, and led by 24 points (61-37) with 4:37 remaining.

Jessica Jammer led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 13 points.

Lamar is at Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Wednesday in its final road game of the season before closing out the regular season with three home games starting with Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. Feb. 25.

LAMAR