STEPHENVILLE, Texas - In a battle between two of the top defensive teams in the Western Athletic Conference, the Lamar University Cardinals would outshine Tarleton State to win their third-straight contest. Led by a double-double performance from
Akasha Davis, LU never conceded a lead in a 53-45 victory.
With 21 points and 10 rebounds, Davis tallied her fifth double-double of the season to lead LU.
Sabria Dean and
NJ Weems would each tally eight points between them while
Malay McQueen netted seven points.
Kayla Mitchell would be a defensive specialist in this game with three steals and five rebounds. LU would make 37.7% from the field, but held TSU to 30.8%.
From the opening tip, the Cardinals would control the tempo as they jumped out to an early 9-2 lead.
Angel Hastings would score five points in the quarter, including a three with 58 seconds to put LU's lead up to 12-4. The TexAnns knocked down a trey to bring them within five after the first quarter. LU made 41.7% from the field in the quarter.
Trailing 15-7, TSU used five straight points to come within 15-12 in the second quarter before Davis and
Anyssia Gibbs extended the lead to nine. Another run by the TexAnns brought them to within 21-19. But Michaela Wilson and
Sabria Dean would see the Cardinals up six, 25-19, at halftime.
Behind seven combined points from Davis and Dean, LU opened the third quarter on a 7-2 run for their first double-digit lead of the game at 32-21. But over the next four minutes, the TexAnns stormed back to 34-32 with an 11-2 run. Once again, the Cardinals got key baskets to expand their lead as it was 39-32 after three.
The fourth quarter would be the Davis and Weems show as the two combined to score all 14 of LU's points while making 50.0% from the field. While LU's lead reached as high as 49-39, the TexAnns tried to charge back again as they cut the deficit in half. But, LU used Davis down low in the post to put the contest out of reach.
The Cardinals seek to stretch their winning streak to four as they take on Abilene Christian at 1:00 PM this Saturday in Abilene.
