BEAUMONT, Texas- The Lamar University women's basketball team stormed to victory against border rivals McNeese on Saturday afternoon, 80-70, on Senior Day.
 
Prior to the game, the raucous crowd inside the Montagne Center honoured three Cardinal seniors; Briana Laidler, Ashlan Miles and Amber Vidal. Vidal was also presented a decorative ball commemorating her 1,000-plus points over the course of her collegiate career.
 
McNeese started with intent in the first quarter, the Cowgirls lead 14-5 when the first timeout was called after five minutes of play. Though the Cardinals responded in resounding fashion to pull it back to 14-16 with three minutes of play left in the first quarter. Vidal lead the Cardinals with eight points in the first quarter, with the score at 22-25.
 
An equally competitive second quarter saw both teams vying for the lead and the Cardinals Malay McQueen steered the quest for the lead. McQueen's successful three point shot with 4 minutes of play left brought the teams level at 31-31 and put McQueen on 11 points. The Cardinals free throw percentage of 41.7 cost them dearly and at the end of the quarter, the Cowgirls lead 36-33.
 
The start of the 3rd quarter saw the Cardinals come out fighting, rallying up 11 points compared to McNeese's five in the opening minutes of play. The Cardinals stormed to a 46-41 lead with 5:58 to play, with much of their success in part to 0.75% field goal percentage and Cardinal duo Vidal and McQueen shooting doubles. Though, this was only the start of the Cardinals turnaround on the match. The Cardinals stranglehold on the game did nothing more than tighten as the third quarter progressed. The Cardinals incredible showing was emphasised by their 30-point tally compared to the Cowgirls 11, with an 75% free throw percentage for the third quarter and 11-19 field goal record. At the end of the third quarter, Jadyn Pimentel also tallied double points and the Cardinals lead 63-47.
 
The Cardinals weathered a spirited effort from the Cowgirls in the fourth quarter. At the timeout with five minutes to play, the Cowgirls had brought the game to within nine points. However, doubles from Vidal (17 points), Pimentel (16 points), McQueen (15 points), and Laidler (10 points) ensured the Cardinals closed out the 2019/20 season with a 80-70 win and a clean sweep over McNeese in the Battle of the Border.