BEAUMONT, Texas - Returning home to the Montagne Center, Lamar University got themselves into a comfortable rhythm shooting lights out for a convincing 107-37 win over Howard Payne University Friday evening to even their record at 1-1. While the offense was the story, it was the defense that also played a role and held HPU to just 13 second half points.
 
On this night, Sabria Dean would set the tone with a career night knocking down 11-of-14 from the field including eight three-pointers for a career high 31 points. She also finished as the game's top thief with four. Akasha Davis also had a memorable performance with a double-double of 13 rebounds and scoring 27 points while hitting all but one of her 10 field goal attempts. NJ Weems (13 points) and Hope Lemelle (12 points) combined for 25 points. Kayla Mitchell dished out 12 assists on the night.
 
Three of LU's quarters would see them make over 50% of their shots. In all, they made 56.3% from the field including 44.4% from the three-point range. They also held HPU to under double-digits in points from turnovers, in the paint, second chance, and fast breaks.
 
Dean got the game started with five-straight points on her way to 10. HPU would get on the board to trail 5-2, but would concede an 11-1 run to trail 16-3 just moments later. While the Yellow Jackets were able to trim the margin to single digits with their three-point shooting, they still trailed 23-12 after a made lay-up by Mitchell.
 
HPU was able to get the score down to 25-17 after another three-pointer. But from that point on, following a Dean three-pointer, LU would go on a 24-7 surge to lead 49-24 at the break. Davis would be a force in the paint as she tallied 10 points in the quarter.
 
The second half was a nightmare for HPU, who managed just three field goals, including two in the third quarter. Dean once again took over the game as she tallied 12 points in the quarter on four three's. In spite of LU's lowest quarter field goal percentage of the night (42.1%), the Cardinals' lead grew to as much as 45 through three.
 
Ignited by 11 points from Davis in the fourth quarter, LU poured in 34 to finish the night with 107. This was the fifth time LU won a game by more than 70 points and only the highest since defeating LeTourneau University by 77 points in 2018. HPU only tallied five points on just one field goal and three free throws in the final 10 minutes.
 
LU will hit the road to Oxford, Miss., to meet up with Ole Miss for a Tuesday showdown. Tip-off starts at 6:00 PM.
 
 

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