FORT WORTH, Texas - Lamar University's women's basketball team got behind early in the first half to undefeated TCU. However, they would create a run to get themselves back in the contest trailing by just six points at the break. Ultimately, TCU gave LU a demonstration of why they were second in the nation in three-point shooting at they connected on 12 three's, that would lead to a 68-51 defeat for the Cards.

Having to go up against TCU's Sedona Prince, one of the top two leading scorers in the Big XII, Akasha Davis held her own as she would match the 6'7 center with 15 points while securing her 21st career double-double with 14 rebounds. The Cardinals would get contributions from two role players in NJ Weems and Malay McQueen. Weems connected on all but one of her six shot attempts to finish with 12 points while Malay McQueen tallied 13 points including three treys. For TCU, Madison Connor, the leading Big XII scorer, finished with 15 points, including five from downtown. 

TCU outshot the Cardinals from the field (42.6-30.9%) and finished with edges in points in the paint (26-24) and on the fast break (10-6). But LU won the bench scoring battle with a 27-7 advantage and they also converted 71.% from the free throw line while TCU made 44%.  

The Cardinals showed early promise to the Horned Frogs with buckets from Davis and Dean to lead 4-2. But the rest of the quarter belonged to TCU, who ran up 15 of the final 17 points for a 17-6 lead. With only three makes on the floor, the Cardinals converted 14.3% from the field in the quarter. 

Early in the second, McQueen connected on a pair of three-balls, including a shot clock buzzer-beater from Steph Curry territory. The Horned Frogs answered with a pair of three's to lead 26-1 with 6:41 to go in the half. But over the last six minutes, the Cardinals turned up their intensity and they would end on a 15-7 run to trail 33-27. Weems played a big role in the quarter scoring seven points. 

R'Mani Taylor answered a TCU three early in the second half. But by then, the Horned Frogs got the message about LU's play and would control the remainder of the contest. Holding LU to just nine points, TCU racked up 15 to improve their lead to 48-36. Although LU had a tough quarter, there were a few key defensive plays including a block shot from Weems and a steal a jumper to close the third quarter by Taylor, who wound up with seven points in the game. 

After allowing a jumper by McQueen, who would put up seven in the final quarter, TCU stretched their lead to 57-44. But Weems would get the Cardinals to within single digits with five unanswered points to trail 57-49. That would be the closest LU would get as the Horned Frogs ended the game on an 11-2 run to claim the 68-51 victory. 

With Christmas break around the corner, this concludes the Cardinals' five-game road stretch as they will conclude the year of 2023 with their final non conference game against Loyola Marymount on Dec. 30th at 2:00 p.m. 
 

#WeAreLU