BEAUMONT, Texas – Addesha Collins poured in 22 points for the second straight game as the Lamar University Cardinals got back to the .500 mark in Southland Conference play with a 59-49 women's basketball win over Incarnate Word at the Montagne Center on Saturday.
 
Collins, the 5-foot-2 guard, who was coming off her first career double-double in Thursday's win over first-place Abilene Christian, was 6-for-8 from the field and 9-for-9 from the foul line Saturday. She also drained her only 3-point attempt as LU (10-13 overall, 6-6 Southland) improved to 9-3 at the Montagne Center this season. Collins, who had a career-high 11 rebounds against Abilene Christiana, had six against UIW on Saturday.
 
"Addesha can hit free throws all day," LU coach Robin Harmony said of Collins, who is 105-for-127 from the charity stripe this season. Collins entered the game ranked 35^th in the nation in free throws made.
 
Freshman Chastadie Barrs added 19 points, eight rebounds and five steals as LU improved to 4-0 all-time against UIW.
 
Incarnate Word (6-15, 3-7) stayed with the cardinals throughout the first half and held a 25-24 lead at intermission. LU took control in the third quarter, outscoring UIW 19-7 to take a 45-34 lead heading into the final period. UIW got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.
 
"We did a good job defensively," Harmony said. "We didn't let them get a lot of good looks."
 
UIW shot 32.7 percent (16-of-49) from the field, and was just 3-of-17 (17.6 percent) from 3-point range. LU also took advantage of 19 UIW turnovers to hold a 29-10 edge in points off of turnovers. The 49 points were the fewest allowed by LU in a Southland Conference game this season.
 
Kiara Desamours and Laka Blache shared team-high honors with nine rebounds apiece for LU. Desamours had six points, while Khali Pippins-Tryon the only player off the bench used by LU, scored five points.
 
"I didn't think our team and our bench was as focused as they should have been," Harmony said. "Hopefully, they will be in our next game. I don't want to have to use just six players."
 
The win puts LU right back in the thick of the chase for a first-round bye in next month's Southland Conference Tournament. LU is one of three teams with six conference wins, tied for third most among teams eligible for the tournament. The top two teams receive byes into the semifinals, while the third- and fourth-place teams receive first-round byes.
 
"A few weeks ago, I was just thinking about getting into the tournament," Harmony said. "Now, we want to play for the best seed we can get. We control our own destiny when it comes to getting a bye."
 
Melina Merritt and Jordan Franks had 10 points apiece for Incarnate Word (6-15, 3-7).
 
LU returns to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Houston Baptist before getting a week off to rest up before hosting Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Feb. 18. Wednesday's game at Houston Baptist will be broadcast live on www.LamarCardinals.com.