BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University's women's basketball team returns home this Thursday night seeking to improve their five-game winning streak to six. But, they will have a tall task ahead of them as they are set to meet up with the top offense in the Southland Conference in Texas A&M-Commerce at 7:00 p.m.
SCRAPPING FOR FIVE IN A ROW
Lamar barely held on to a 52-49 win against Nicholls to improve to 10-4 on the season and 4-0 in Southland Conference play. The Cardinals did so in spite of shooting 38.6% from the field and being outscored 17-11 in the fourth quarter. Four Cardinals reached double-figures with Sabria Dean leading with 12 points while Akasha Davis tallied 11 and both R'Mani Taylor and Malay McQueen netted 10 points each.
LU'S DEFENSE STEPPING UP
Big Red is one of four teams in the SLC conceding fewer than 60 points per game. At 56.9 points allowed, that is good for fourth behind Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (55.4), UIW (55.7), and Southeastern (56.1). Nine of LU's 10 wins have come when they have given up fewer than 60 points, including the last five games. The only win LU allowed 60 or more points came against Louisiana when the Cardinals won 63-60.
COMPARED TO 2018-19
A win for LU on Thursday night would mark the best start for the women's basketball team after 15 games since the 2018-19 team. The 18-19 Cardinals were 11-4 and 4-0 in the conference after 15 games. In addition, they also had a six-game winning streak then after a 57-37 win over Central Arkansas.
MALAY'S DAGGER WAS THE DIFFERENCE
With 2:33 left and up by four against Nicholls, it was Malay McQueen who netted the decisive dagger with a three-pointer. That would be her 10th poiint of the game and it also would prove to be decisive as a last-second full-court shot by the Colonels made the final 52-49.
HISTORY VS THE LIONS
All-time, LU has split four meetings with the Lions of TAMU-Commerce. In their last meeting, the Cardinals got revenge on the Lions with a 66-49 win at Neches Arena. Sabria Dean (16), Akasha Davis (10), NJ Weems (13), and McQueen (11) all reached double-figures for LU.
MEET THE LIONS
Under new head coach Valerie King, the Lions are 7-7 overall and 2-2 in the conference after a win over Houston Christian. The Lions are currently leading the SLC in scoring as they are the only team averaging 70 points per game. But they also give up 74.9 ppg, which is the second highest in the conference.
HIT THE DECK
Mia Deck is tied for fourth in the conference with 13.9 ppg. Prior to her last game against HCU, she recorded three straight 20-point outings. Against LU last season, she was held to 11 and eight points in the two games respectively.
UP NEXT FOR LU
The Cardinals will drive I-10 West to meet up with Houston Christian this Saturday with the tip-off being at 1:00 p.m.
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