BEAUMONT, Texas - Exactly one week and two hours after losing a heartbreak to Northwestern State, Lamar University's women's basketball team, wearing white and pink uniforms to support the fight against breast cancer, put together a strong start to rout the Demons 75-57. LU is now currently 12-10 overall and 6-5 in the Southland Conference.
For the second straight game,
Akasha Davis tallied 20 points to lead LU shooting nine-of-12 from the field. She also grabbed 14 rebounds, which marked her fourth double-double on the season and her 10th of her career.
Portia Adams added 18 points while
Sabria Dean scored 13 points and dished out a team-high seven assists. LU converted exactly 50.0% from the field.
After trailing 2-0 early, the Cardinals grabbed their first lead of the season against the Demons by going on a 21-2 run. Davis and
Malay McQueen each provided six points with the latter scoring back-to-back threes. LU finished with 66.7% shooting (10-of-15) while the Demons, despite answering with a 7-3 run to end the first, made 23.1% (three-of-13) from the field. The Cardinals led 24-11 after one.
LU elevated their lead to 30-11 as Davis reached 10 points following free throws. Though NSU did get a five-point run to trail 30-16, the Cardinals would end the quarter with Dean scoring five of LU's final six points to secure a 36-19 lead at the break. LU shot a game worst 21.4% from the field.
The Cardinals stretched their lead to as much as 18 points at 41-23 following a layup by Davis. The Demons, however, had two answers as they trimmed the deficit to 45-32 with 5:09 to play. Undaunted by a potential momentum switch, Adams converted a three-point play and she and
R'Mani Taylor would guide Big Red for the second half of the third combining for 12 points. With 56.25% (nine-of-16) in the quarter, the Cards led 59-41 after three.
Both teams rallied 16 points in the fourth. An early layup by Davis extended LU's lead to 61-41. The Demons would have a few mini runs but couldn't bring the score to as close as 12 points. In the end, the Cardinals needed a 54.1% quarter to knock off the Demons 75-57 and move into a tie for fourth in the conference.
LU hits the road to South Texas next week starting with a road contest in San Antonio with UIW this Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
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