BEAUMONT, Texas - With 7:10 left to go in the fourth quarter, Lamar University women's basketball player Sabria Dean calmly sank a free throw. Unlike the thousands of free throws she had taken in her life, this one had special meaning as she joined an exclusive club of Cardinal players to have scored 1,000 career points. Dean's free throw was one of the most significant highlights of the game as LU knocked off NAIA's LSU-Alexandria 72-48 to improve to 3-1 for the year.
Dean needed exactly 12 points to get the milestone and she would finish with that number for the game. She also was a defensive presence with five steals. Akasha Davis would score 15 points on 7-of-8 eight shooting while recording three block shots. Taliah Hill also reached double-figures with 12 points going 6-of-8 from the floor.
The Cardinals outshot the Generals (48.2%-41.5%) and would dominate them in almost every category. Controlling the paint with 36 points, LU benefited from having 27 off turnovers and saw their bench contribute 38 of their own. Despite taking fewer free throws, LSUA would have a higher percentage (75.0%-66.7%) from the charity stripe.
From the opening tip, Big Red discovered what a challenge the Generals brought as they found themselves behind 8-4 near the midway point. But two girls with the same first name would spark an 11-point run as Hill and T'Aliyah Miner contributed eight points while Malay McQueen knocked down a three-pointer pushing LU to a 15-8 lead. In the final minute, LSUA responded with five straight to cut the margin to 15-13 after 10 minutes.
Held scoreless in the first quarter, Dean finally picked up the first of six second quarter points, which led to a 10-2 run that featured three straight free throws from NJ Weems. The Cardinals bumped their lead up to 15 points at 32-17 only to watch LSUA trim that down to 34-21 by the break. Keyed in this 19-8 quarter run for LU was a 7-of-8 performance at the free throw line.
The Generals wouldn't go away quietly as they opened the second half scoring seven of eight points to be down 35-28. But after Dean converted a three-pointer, the Generals would never cut the lead to single digits. Much like the first quarter, this one was evenly played as LSUA won 13-12. Both teams only converted four field goals as LU led 46-34 heading into the final quarter.
Needing three more to reach 1,000, Dean converted a lay-up at the start the fourth quarter and then stole an outlet pass before drawing a foul. Once she made the free throw, Dean was finished for the night with 12 points. That moment would spark a late LU run as they would finish the quarter with 26 points. The post play of Davis and Hill combined for 12 points while Teni Kuyinu dished out three assists off the bench. By the time the buzzer sounded, LU walked off the floor 72-48 victors.
Now, the Cardinals are set for their biggest road trip of the season as they will participate in the St. Pete's Showcase in St. Petersburg, Fla. Next week, they will play the University of Texas-El Paso on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m., central time and then battle with Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. central time on Thanksgiving.
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