BEAUMONT, Texas – Addesha Collins scored 24 points to lead four Lamar University players in double figures as the Cardinals claimed a 77-70 win over visiting Houston Baptist in a Southland Conference women's basketball game at the Montagne Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Cardinals (8-11 overall, 4-4 Southland) got yeoman's efforts from all five starts, who combined for 188 minutes played and all of LU's points. Laka Blache had 16 points, Kiara Desamours had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Chastadie Barrs had 14 points and nine rebounds while matching her career high with seven steals as the Cardinals won their second straight game.
 
Collins, Barrs and Baileigh O'Dell each played all 40 minutes for LU.
 
"This is one of the reasons we work so hard in practice," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "The games seem easier in comparison."
 
LU, which leads the Southland Conference in turnovers forced, caused the Huskies (8-9, 3-4) to commit 24 turnovers Saturday, as LU had a 22-9 edge in points off of turnovers. Barrs, who entered the game third in the nation in steals, now has 76 on the season, the ninth highest single-season total in LU history.
 
"Chastadie is just a demon on defense," Harmony said. "She just keeps getting better."
 
The Cardinals, who entered the game leading the conference in 3-pointers, connected on a season-low two treys Saturday.
 
"We knew HBU was going to take away the 3-point shot, so we had to get the ball inside more," Harmony said. "They weren't going to let Baileigh get hot from outside."
 
The Cards were effective inside, outscoring the Huskies 40-36 in the paint as LU improved to 7-1 all-time against HBU.
 
"We did what we knew we needed to do," Barrs said. "This is a win we wanted."
 
LU led 39-31 at halftime thanks in part to some hot shooting. The Cardinals were 15-of-28 (53.6 percent) from the field, despite going just 1-of-6 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. LU was 26-of-54 (48.1 percent) from the field for the game.
 
The Huskies (8-9, 3-4) had five players score in double figures, led by Rachel Arthur with 20 points. Anna Strickland had her 13^th double-double of the season for HBU, finishing with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The Cardinals will get a day off on Sunday before returning to the practice floor Monday to get ready for Wednesday's 7 p.m. home contest against Sam Houston State.
 
"It's going to be nice to have the day off and get some rest, but we'll be ready for Wednesday," Barrs said.
 
Harmony hopes her team can build off the momentum of the two-game winning streak.
 
"We're right back in the thick of things," she said. "We just have to keep it going."
 
For ticket information for Wednesday's game, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.