BEAUMONT, Texas - Opening their 2023-24 season at the Neches Federal Credit Arena at the Montagne Center, Lamar University's women's basketball team would receive an early wake up call from NAIA's Texas College in the first five minutes with the score tied 8-8. But from that point on, LU outscored the Steers 100-26 as they would earn their first opening game victory in five seasons. The 108 points are also tied for 10th most in a single game in program history as LU shared the record with the 1991 squad that did so against Central Florida.
Four of the Cardinals would reach double-figures and two of them came close to acquiring a double-double. Akasha Davis started her junior season strong with 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting and had nine boards while NJ Weems, who posted 12 points, collected eight rebounds. Sabria Dean netted 10 points while Taliah Hill came off the bench to score a career-high 13 points. The point guard play would be impressive as Brooklyn Mitchell (five points, six assists) and Jacei Denley (eight points, seven assists) combined for 13 points and assists. For the game, LU connected on 57.7% from the field, although they would only make five three's.
The Cardinals opened the game with a 6-2 run as Davis started off with four points in the first 90 seconds. But the Steers would make the first few minutes of the quarter interesting as with a pair of threes from Te'Aire Hambrick, who would lead TC in scoring, the game was tied at eight. Not wanting to give any hope for the Steers to blindside them with a loss, the Cardinals ran up 10 straight points including a pair of Malay McQueen threes. By the end of the quarter, LU had outscored TC 18-4 for a 26-12 lead.
The second quarter would prove to be decisive as the Cardinals outscored the Steers 32-4. They would connect on 13-of-20 shooting (65.0%) from the field as Davis scored six points to finish the first half with 12. LU's defense would hold TC to 2-of-12 from the field as the Cardinals went into the locker room up an astounding 58-16.
As the second half began, LU's suffocating defense and overwhelming offense would put up another one-sided quarter in the third. This time, it was a 25-5 quarter for LU, who would lead 83-21 after 30 minutes. It was in this quarter that Hill would show off her scoring abilities putting up nine points on five-of-six shooting. All this occurred despite the Cardinals shooting a quarter worse 42.1% from the field.
When the fourth quarter came around, another Cardinal that came off the bench would elevate herself to have a solid 10 minutes. Teni Kuyinu had been held scoreless for three quarters. But finally, she would step up to knock down all four shots she took and finish with nine total points. LU went 11-of-15 for 73.3% from the field marking the highest percentage in a quarter for the game. A steal and lay-up by Victoria Mason with 3:41 left put LU over the century mark and would add seven more points to preserve the 108-34 win.
Now, the Cardinals hit the road for a two-game stretch. They'll start this Friday evening in Arlington for a showdown against the Mavericks of UT-Arlington. The tip-off will begin at 5:00 p.m.
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