BEAUMONT, Texas - It was only fitting that the Lamar University women's basketball team set a season-high of nine three-pointers to stretch their winning streak to nine games as the Cardinals knocked off the McNeese Cowgirls 73-43 on Thursday night. Big Red remains on top of the Southland Conference leaderboard at 13-1 and possesses a 19-5 overall mark.

With 14 points to lead everyone, Sabria Dean (1277) moved up to the top-10 all-time in scoring for LU passing Sandra Thomas (1268). She also matched her season-high with six assists. Another season-high that was equaled came from Malay McQueen as she tallied 13 points including three from behind the three-point arc. Jacei Denley posted 12 points and stole the ball thrice while Akasha Davis came within one point of a double-double to go with 10 boards.

Hitting 47.4% from downtown, the Cardinals converted 44.6% from the field. Defensively, the Cardinals held McNeese to 27.5% from the field, which included two more quarters of single digit points to mark 17 on the season.

The only real threat from the Cowgirls came early as they would tie the game following the first basket from LU before closing the gap to 6-4. From that point on, Big Red left nothing to chance as with McQueen and Dean each scoring seven first quarter points, the Cardinals racked up a 12-4 run to lead 18-8 after one. By hitting eight-of-16 from the field, the Cardinals recorded the first of two 50.0% field goal quarters.

After a Dean lay-up to open the second, neither side could muster up points for three minutes before the Cowgirls connected on a three. This would be the last time McNeese trailed by single digits as the Cardinals would lead by double-figures the rest of the way. LU converted three-more treys from NJ Weems, Denley, and Dean while they held the opposition to nine points. It was 35-17 at the break. 

The game was blown open in the third quarter with Big Red doubling McNeese's 14-points to lead 63-31 after three quarters. LU shared the ball and distributed points amongst those on the floor with Weems scoring four, Denley tallying five and McQueen knocking down two three's including the one at the buzzer to close the third. The Cowgirls would reach double-figures this time, but only on four-of-10 from the field. 

With the game locked and secured, LU's reserves would play the final 10 minutes. While Denley set her 12th point of the contest, Anaya Bernard and Teni Kuyinu managed to get three points each in the session. A bulk of the Cowgirls' scoring came from the free throw line as they converted six-of-10 from the charity triple to finish with 11 second-half free throws. By the end of the night, the Cardinals had delivered a second straight 30-plus point winning margin over McNeese. 

A two-game lead separates Big Red and third place Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, who will arrive to Beaumont this Saturday looking to close the deficit. The Cardinals will tip-off with the Islanders at 3:00 PM and will honor four seniors for Senior Day. 
 

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