BEAUMONT, Texas - Dominique Edwards poured in 20 points, but the Lamar Lady Cardinals dropped a 75-55 decision to visiting Louisiana-Lafayette in a non-conference women's basketball game Friday night.

Freshman Baileigh O'Dell had 12 points, while Kiandra Bowers added 11 points for Lamar (0-1), which couldn't overcome a combination of cold shooting and turnovers.

Lamar shot 32.7 percent (17-of-52) from the field, including 16.7 percent (3-of-18) from 3-point range.

"We kept stats on the bench, and we missed 10 layups," Lamar coach Robin Harmony said. "That's 20 points right there. We also had 23 turnovers, which is way too many."

Lamar trailed by just five points, 37-32, at halftime, but Louisiana-Lafayette went on a 9-2 run to open the second half and never looked back.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half," Harmony said. "But we struggled in the second half. We couldn't make shots and we couldn't get stops."

Jaylyn Gordon led the Ragin' Cajuns (1-0) with 22 points. Keke Veal had 13 points and Gabby Alexander added 11 in the win.

Lamar freshman Laka Blache tied for game-high honors in rebounding with eight. She also blocked two shots.

"I did see some good things," Harmony said. "We have a young team, and they're going to get better."

Lamar returns to action with a pair of games in Oklahoma next week. The Lady Cardinals are at Tulsa at 6 p.m. Monday before meeting the Oklahoma Sooners at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"We have to work hard in practice and getter better," Edwards said. "Basketball is a game of mistakes, and we have to learn not to make the same mistakes again."

Prior to the game, the Lady Cardinals unveiled banners that commemorate last season's Southland Conference championship and postseason appearance in the WNIT. The team also received championship rings.

Lamar's next home game is 2 p.m. Nov. 23 against UTSA.

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