LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Lamar Lady Cardinals squandered a golden opportunity to all but wrap second place in the Southland Conference as they dropped a 98-77 decision to host McNeese State on Thursday.

Despite the loss, Lamar (15-12 overall, 12-4 Southland) remained 1 ½ games ahead of third-place Nicholls (15-11, 10-5), as the Colonels were upset by New Orleans 68-63.

Baileigh O'Dell led Lamar with 23 points. JaMeisha Edwards had 14 points and Dominique Edwards added 12 for the Lady Cardinals.

O'Dell did her best to keep the Lady Cardinals in the game in the early going, scoring 20 points in the first half, but Lamar went into the locker room with its biggest halftime deficit of the season, trailing 55-35.

"Baileigh had a good game for us," Lamar coach Robin Harmony said.

Lamar cut the McNeese State lead to 11 points in the second half, but could draw no closer.

Jalyn Johnson led McNeese State (16-11, 10-6) with 25 points. Allison Baggett had 24 points, Amber Donnes had 19 points, while Talisa Boyd finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.

McNeese State dominated the boards, outrebounding Lamar 52-23.

The Lady Cardinals still control their own destiny to finish in second place in the conference and earn a bye into the tournament semifinals. Lamar finishes the regular season with a pair of home game. Incarnate Word comes to the Montagne Center at 4 p.m. Saturday before Sam Houston State pays a visit at 5:30 p.m. March 5.

"We know what we have to do," Harmony said. "We just have to play the way we are capable of."

For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.