HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- The Lamar University women's basketball program fell short in the contest at Johnson Coliseum as they were defeated by Sam Houston, 63-55, on Monday evening.
 
The contest was a battle from the first whistle as going into the media timeout the Cardinals held a 6-4 lead over the Bearkats. Battling back and forth for most of the first quarter, Sam Houston took the lead, 15-12, going into the first break. Sophomore Kayla Mitchell shined for the Cards as she tallied seven points in the first quarter to help lead the Cards to shooting 39 percent overall for the frame, while the Big Red defense limited the Bearkats to just 27 percent from the field.
 
Sam Houston went on to jump out to a six-point lead at the second quarter media behind seven points from Faith Cook. Lamar was able to cut the Bearkat lead to two coming out of the break on a pair of free-throws from junior Angel Hastings. Both teams battled back in the final minutes before halftime, but it was the Bearkats that went on to take a six-point lead into the half.
 
Sam Houston came out firing on all cylinders to open the third, taking a 11-point lead over the Cards. Lead by senior Shedricka Pierson, the Cardinals cut the lead to four with 19 seconds left, but Courtney Cleveland was able to push the Sam Houston back to six. The Cardinals shot 30 percent in the frame compared to 38 percent from the field for the Bearkats. Free throws helped keep Lamar in the contest going into the final quarter.
 
The Bearkats kept their lead over the Cards by a margin of at least five or more points for the remainder of the contest despite several comeback attempts by the Big Red. Senior Jadyn Pimentel and freshman Sabria Dean helped the Cards stay in the game as they each had eight points apiece in the fourth alone. Sam Houston held the Cards at bay as they captured the season sweep over the Cards, 63-55, on Monday evening.
 
UP NEXT: In a short turnaround, the Cardinals will turn their attention to UIW on Wednesday night as they welcome the Southland's other Cardinals to the Montagne Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff.