BEAUMONT, Texas - Despite a cold shooting performance, Lamar University showed a lot of heart as they edged out Utah Valley in a double overtime thriller 59-55. This marked the third overtime contest for LU this season, and the first double overtime game since 2018 when they took on the University of Denver. LU has been on a hot streak having won four of their last five contests to put themselves closer to the top of the conference standings.
 
LU shot 29.6% from the field, and had four members in double-figures with Angel Hastings coming off the bench to put up a game-high 15 points. Michaela Wilson tallied 11 points while Akasha Davis recorded her fourth double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Malay McQueen also tallied 10 points.
 
It was a tight contest from the get-go as LU started with a 5-2 lead only for six straight UVU points to force a 8-5 deficit. Following a Davis layup, McQueen went deep with a pair of threes to finish the first quarter with eight points. The Cardinals would lead 16-10 after shooting 40.0% from the field.
 
The second quarter was a defensive struggle as both teams failed to reach double-figures. After allowing a UVU basket, the Cards went on a run of seven-straight points including five from Wilson, who wound up with nine first half points. LU's lead of 25-14 would be chipped to 25-19 at the break by the Wolverines. The Cardinals shot 28.6% from the field.
 
LU would keep applying pressure on the Wolverines in the first part of the third quarter while knocking down crucial shots for a 30-23 lead. But the tone of the game changed as UVU would storm back to tie the score at 34 apiece entering the final quarter. LU was held to only 25.0% from the field in the quarter.
 
Neither side would score more than nine points in the fourth quarter. But trailing by four points, the Cardinals would get an inspired effort from Hastings who scored all nine of LU's points and got the Cardinals a 43-41 lead. UVU evened the score with a basket and both team's chances to win came up short as the contest went into overtime.
 
Hastings answered UVU's opening basket in overtime with a three to reclaim the lead for LU, but both the teams continued to trade baskets. With UVU up 49-47 with 37 seconds to go, Anyssia Gibbs picked the right time to knock down her only field goal, which tied the game and sent it to a second overtime.
 
Sabria Dean would respond to a Wolverine basket in the second overtime with a three of her own. UVU would grab the lead back with a minute and a half to go. But the turning point came when UVU was called for an intentional foul and allowed Hastings to tie the game. LU fed the ball to Davis who netted the ultimate game-winning basket. Kayla Mitchell then followed with crucial free throws down the stretch as LU went on to a 59-55 win.

The Cardinals will hit the road this coming Thursday as they travel to Stephenville, Texas for a 6:00 PM tipoff against the Texans of Tarleton State.
 

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