HAMMOND, La. - After three quarters of play, Lamar University's women's basketball team had a 20-point lead of 56-36 over Southeastern Louisiana going into the final 10 minutes in a battle of the top two teams in the Southland Conference. While the Lions roared back to within striking distance, LU (17-5) held on for the 67-60 win that not only has them on a seven-game winning streak, but also has them in first place of the conference at 11-1.
Sabria Dean led all Cardinals with 16 points on 60% shooting and was two rebounds shy of a double-double while dishing out six assists. Malay McQueen came off the bench to tally 11 points including three from downtown while R'Mani Taylor added 10 of her own. Other contributions came from Taliah Hill, who posted nine points including a three-pointer and Brooklyn Mitchell, who connected on a pair of threes for six points.
In spite of the rough fourth quarter, the Cardinals did outshoot the Lions from the field (49.0%0-44.2%), which featured seven three's in the game. They also were a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe and outrebounded SLU 36-23. The Lions averaged one point per 17 LU turnovers and controlled the paint 32-26.
Each team started the opening quarter by exchanging eight points apiece. Following a Dean jumper to take the lead, the Cardinals would maintain this edge throughout the rest of the game. A 10-5 run stretched their lead to 18-13 as Dean and NJ Weems each tallied four points in the quarter, which saw LU make seven-of-12 from the field. The Lions got the two last points to put the first quarter score to 18-15 in Big Red's favor.
The second quarter was all Cardinals as they would outscore SLU 17-6. Jacei Denley started things with a three before the Lions closed the gap to 21-17. That was when the Cardinals stormed out to a 14-4 run to end the quarter, which included eight straight points from McQueen, who also connected on a pair of three-pointers. The six points from the Lions marked the 15th quarter LU held their opponent to under double-figures as they led 35-21 at the half.
LU stretched their lead to 37-24 at the start of the second half only for a 9-4 Lions' run to close within 41-33. Momentum then swung in LU's favor as they ended the quarter on a 15-3 run. Keying this run were three's from Mitchell, McQueen, and a surprising one from Hill, who had help from the iron before it fell into the hoop. On just eight field goals in 13 attempts (61.5%), the Cardinals suddenly had a 56-36 lead through three quarters.
A layup by Dean opened the fourth quarter and the lead was 58-36. All of a sudden, the Lions reminded Big Red why they were the defending conference champs as they racked up 12 straight points to close with 10 before a Mitchell three stretched it to 61-48. But that didn't slow down the Lion surge as with 1:15 left to go, the Cardinals clung to a 63-58 lead and turned the ball over.
Fortunately, the Lions missed the critical basket and the Cardinals worked the clock down before Taylor and Dean each converted critical free throws. Despite being outscored 24-11 in the final quarter, the Cardinals sit alone in first place in the conference with a 67-60 victory.
The Cardinals down head down to New Orleans to meet the Privateers for a Saturday tip-off at 2:00 pm.
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