BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University got 12 kills from freshman Taisha Rhone and 10 from Lyric Jordan but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell to the Southland Conference leading Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-12), Thursday evening at McDonald Gym.
 
The Cardinals (1-18/1-7 SLC) finished the night 29-12-98 (.173) from the floor with two aces and 11 blocks. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were hurt by eight service errors and seven receptions.
 
Southeastern ended the match converting 35 percent of their attacks (45-11-96). The Lions also recorded seven aces and eight blocks.
 
The Cardinals got out to a quick start hitting .333 (15-3-39) in the opening set hanging with the league leaders until the end of the set before Southeastern gained a little bit of a cushion late and held on to take the first set.
 
It was a different story in the second and third sets as the Lions used long rallies to gain early leads and never look back. Leading by one just nine points into the second set, SLU rattled off an 18-4 run to take a 23-8 lead and never looked back holding on for the win.
 
Looking to hit the reset button in the third, the Cardinals trailed by just one when the visitors rattled off a long rally. The Lions scored nine of the next 10 points to take a 15-6 lead. They pushed their advantage to 21-10 before closing out the set and the match.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Commerce, Texas to face the Lions. The match against Texas A&M-Commerce will begin at 1 p.m.