KATY, Texas - Kiandra Bowers' fourth double-double of the season wasn't enough to keep the Lamar Lady Cardinals from falling in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

Bowers had team highs of 16 points and 12 rebounds, but the second-seeded Lady Cardinals dropped a 70-64 overtime decision to sixth-seeded Northwestern State. It was the second straight season that Lamar, which had earned a double bye into the semifinals, was eliminated by Northwestern State in the semis.

The Lady Cardinals led by as many as 14 points early in the second half, but couldn't hold on, as the defending champion Lady Demons battled back to return to the title game.

"We played well to build that lead, but we couldn't finish it," Lamar coach Robin Harmony said. "We couldn't make our shots and we had some costly turnovers."

The Lady Cardinals had a chance to win it in regulation with the score tied at 58 after Northwestern State's Keisha Lee tied things with 12.1 seconds left, but Lamar failed to get a shot off, turning the ball over with 1.3 seconds remaining.

"You can't have a turnover in that situation," Harmony said. "You have to get a shot off to give yourself a chance."

In overtime, JaMeisha Edwards hit a jumper 15 seconds into the frame to give Lamar a 60-58 lead, but Northwestern State scored the next six points. Lamar never got closer than three points after that.

Addesha Collins had 15 points and five assists for Lamar Baileigh O'Dell had 12 points and five assists, while JaMeisha Edwards added 10 points. Caroline Adesulu had eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks for Lamar.

Beatrice Attura came off the bench to lead Northwestern State (18-14) with 26 points. Janelle Perez scored 24 points for the Lady Demons, who will meet eighth-seeded Houston Baptist in the title game at noon Sunday.

The Lady Cardinals remain hopeful of receiving their fifth bid to a national postseason tournament in six seasons, most likely the WBI, which Lamar last participated in two seasons ago.

"Playing some more games would be a great experience for our young players," Harmony said. "McNeese State and SFA have both made deep runs in the WBI the past two seasons. We want to represent Lamar and the Southland Conference."

Adesulu, a senior, would also like to get another chance to play in the postseason.

"Anytime you play in a tournament, it's a great experience," she said. "Obviously, we wanted to go to the NCAA Tournament, but we want to keep playing.

Lamar would most likely learn of any postseason bid late Monday evening or on Tuesday.

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