NEW ORLEANS, La. - Jacei Denley tallied a career-high 19 points as Lamar University dominated Pacific in the second half to win 69-54 on the first day of the Big Easy Classic. The win snaps a two-game skid and evens LU's record at 2-2.
While every Cardinal on the floor recorded points, Denley was one of four Cardinals in double figures scoring 12 in the second half on 9-of-19 from the field throughout the game. She also finished as the game leader in assists with seven. Akasha Davis posted a double-double of 12 points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds. Kamryn Wilson, making her first appearance in the starting lineup, tallied 12 points while Sabria Dean posted 10 points. The Cardinals finished the game shooting 36.8 percent from the field.
At first, the Cardinals got off to a rough start. Following an opening basket from Davis, they went into a dry spell missing their next eight shots while the Tigers raced out to a 12-4 lead. LU ended the first quarter down 14-8 having converted three field goals.
The Tigers kept their six-point lead at 18-12 early in the second quarter, but led by the trio of Dean, Weems, and Denley, the Cardinals created an 11-4 run to grab their first lead of the game at 23-22. Each team played to a 26-26 tie at the half. While the Cardinals posted a lower shooting percentage in the quarter, their defense had managed to hold the Tigers to only 12 shot attempts, which was a sign of things to come.
The third quarter saw LU change the game's momentum with a 21-8 performance. Tied at 28, Denley started a 19-3 run with a reverse lay-up for the first two of her six-point quarter. Denley also assisted on four baskets, including a wraparound pass to Taliah Hill. Big Red made 53.8 percent from the field while holding Pacific to two field goals as it led 47-34 through three quarters.
By the fourth quarter, LU's lead stretched to a game-high 22 at 63-41. The Tigers did close the gap to the final of 69-54, but not before Denley scored six points to achieve her career-high with 3:11 to go. KJ Walker netted a three-pointer to finish the contest off as LU outscored the Tigers 43-28 in the second half.
The Cardinals will look to make it two wins in the Big Easy Classic as they will take on Cleveland State Saturday. The tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
#PeckEmCards
