STILLWATER, Okla. – A promising start turned into a disappoint end for the Lamar University Cardinals in a 90-45 loss to host Oklahoma State in a non-conference women's basketball game Friday.
 
LU (0-1) hung tough with the Cowgirls in the early going, as the first quarter ended in a 20-20 tie, and the Cardinals trailed just 30-27 with 5:12 remaining in the second quarter before Oklahoma State (1-0) pulled away.
 
We played well for 15 minutes, but that's obviously not enough against a good team like Oklahoma State," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "We weren't prepared for their big bodies."
 
Oklahoma State dominated inside, outscoring LU 54-10 in points in the paint. Meanwhile, the Cardinals could not get their outside shooting going, hitting just five of their 25 3-point attempts (20 percent). LU was 11-of-54 overall (20.4 percent) from the field for the game.
 
Freshman guard Chastadie Barrs had an impressive collegiate debut, leading the Cardinals with 15 points, six rebounds and four steals.
 
"Chastadie had a great game," Harmony said. "She ran the point well and kept her composure. But she can't do it herself."
 
Harmony started three freshmen and was pleased with the play of all four of the freshmen that comprised the top-ranked recruiting class in the Southland Conference.
 
"Our freshmen weren't the problem," Harmony said. "We needed our upperclassmen to step up. You can't have your seniors shooting a combined 2-of-19."
 
Oklahoma State led 42-30 at halftime before pulling away from LU in the second half, outscoring the Cardinals 48-15 over the final two quarters.
 
"They are a better team than us, but they're not 45 points better than we are," Harmony said. "We can learn from this experience."
 
Addesha Collins had eight points for LU, while Kiara Desamours, Kiandra Bowers and JaMeisha Edwards added five points apiece. Edwards moved into a tie for fourth place with Danyelle Grimes on the LU career chart for 3-pointers with 131.
 
Oklahoma State had five players score in double figures, led by sophomore center Kaylee Jensen's 22 points. Brittney Martin, Oklahoma State's All-American, had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
 
The Cardinals return to action at 8 p.m. Tuesday with a non-conference game at Utah. The game will be broadcast live CLICK HERE. The home opener is set for 7 p.m. Thursday against Louisiana College. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.