BEAUMONT, Texas. - For the second year in a row, Lamar University's women's basketball team found themselves in a tight contest against the University of New Orleans in a pivotal game to keep pace with the Southland Conference leaders. But unlike last season's heartbreaking defeat, it the was the Cardinals who broke some Privateers' hearts as a clutch lay-up by R'Mani Taylor would lead to a 65-62 victory at home. The Cardinals are 12-5 overall and 6-1 in conference play, which has them tied for second in the standings.
Akasha Davis and Sabria Dean provided the bulk of the scoring for the Cardinals putting up 19 and 20 points respectively. Davis also tallied another double-double with 16 rebounds while Dean was a perfect eight-of-eight from the foul line. Another key player for LU was Brooklyn Mitchell, who tallied nine points, including four key free throws. Taylor finished with seven points and three steals. Despite the win, the Cardinals were heavily outshot by UNO (45.8-35.1) from the field. The Privateers also won the bench points (35-11) and assists (17-7) categories, but thanks to 24-of-28 from the free throw line, LU won the charity stripe battle with 85.7% in contrast to 62.5% from UNO. Big Red also secured 27 points off 25 UNO turnovers.
Early on however, it was UNO who ran out to an 8-2 lead. Big Red responded with a 10-4 run to knot the score at 12 apiece thanks to the tandem of Davis and Dean. But with the Privateers converting half of their 12 field goals in the quarter, it was LU who found themselves down 15-13 through the first 10 minutes of the contest.
After exchanging buckets early in the second quarter, the Privateers and Cardinals each took turns racking up five straight points, which gave LU a 23-22 lead following an NJ Weems jumper. But plagued by foul trouble, Big Red had four starters with two fouls after the first half giving UNO 11 free throw attempts, which they would only make five. Despite an abysmal 27.8% from the field in the quarter, the Cardinals only trailed 26-25 at the half.
The third quarter would see both teams pick up the intensity as there were 19 free throw attempts. With each scoring 18 points, neither team led by more than four points. Davis and Dean tallied six points each with the latter getting four free throws. LU led 43-42 before a pair of free throws by the Privateers saw them up 44-43 going into the final minutes.
Much like the third, the final quarter was another tense and tight affair early on. But when Davis picked up her fourth foul with the scored tied at 51, the Privateers suddenly had their best run of the game scoring nine of the next 13 points. Down 60-55 with 3:38 to play, the Cardinals rallied back as Mitchell converted a jumper while Davis tied the game with a three-point play. A costly turnover by UNO gave LU the ball and it was Taylor who put the Cardinals ahead with two minutes to go.
Unfortunately for Davis, she would foul out with 20 seconds left and the Privateers went to the line looking to tie the game. But there would be no New Orleans magic in Beaumont as both free throws missed and the Cardinals would knock down a few key ones to lead 65-62. A last-second effort by UNO to knot the score went off and the red birds escaped with a big win.
After getting one revenge win this week, Big Red now sets their sights on the biggest game to date in a SLC championship rematch on Saturday. With one game separating LU from the undefeated Southeastern Louisiana Lions, it will be a 3 p.m tip-off with first place on the line.
#WeAreLU
