BEAUMONT, Texas - In their first action on the basketball court in nine days, the Cardinals would have a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter against Longwood University, but, the Lancers would rally back to escape with a 62-59 win.

Akasha Davis posted a double-double with a game-high 18 points and 14 rebounds. Sabria Dean and Malay McQueen each tallied 13 points in the game while Kayla Mitchell posted four assists to lead the Cardinals. In all, the Cardinals outshot the Lancers 42.4%-40.0% from the field and dominated the glass winning 46-32 in the rebounding category.

The first quarter would be a see-saw affair as both teams traded baskets all throughout with the Lancers having a 15-12 edge. Neither side would have a lead of more than three points. LU outshot Longwood 46.2%-40.0% in the quarter as both sides made six field goals. McQueen and Dean would each put up four points in the quarter.  

Longwood would stretch their lead to eight points to start the second quarter. The Cardinals were able to cut the deficit to 22-20 with a run of six straight points. After Longwood went to 26-20, LU once again responded with a strong run to knot the score at 28. LWD would covert the go-ahead three to put the Lancers up 33-30 at the break as both teams netted eight field goals in the quarter.

LU blazed their way out of the locker room with six straight points for their first lead since the first quarter. The Cardinals grabbed a 41-37 lead following a three by Dean before the Landers would respond with five unanswered points. Dean and McQueen both reached double-digits while Davis' seven third quarter points brought her up to 13. LU clung to a 49-46 lead following a quarter in which they outshot Longwood by 20% (46.7%-26.7%).

The Cardinals extended their lead up to seven points at 56-49. But again, Longwood would not back down as they would answer with a 9-1 run for a 58-57 lead. Davis would get LU the one-point lead back only for the Lancers to go up by three at 62-59. The Cards would have a few chances to tie, but both shots were unable to go in at the buzzer.

The Cards will be back home next Saturday as they will host Loyola-New Orleans at 2:00 PM.
 

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