SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Trailing by 14 points and with their two best scorers held in check for most of the game, Lamar University's women's basketball team got an unexpected boost from Minnesota resident NJ Weems, who set a career-high with 27 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field. This would include a late three to put away the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals in another come from behind win at 72-68 and also improves LU to 15-5 overall and 9-1 in the Southland Conference. In addition, this win punches LU's ticket to the SLC Championship Tournament in Lake Charles.
Weems started the game by connecting on her first 10 shots before a miss in the fourth quarter. This included three from downtown and also two made free throws. Although somewhat quiet in the first half, Sabria Dean came alive late in the second half to finish with 19 points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Other contributions came from Malay McQueen (eight points) and Taliah Hill (seven points). Despite being cold for the first half, LU finished with an edge in field goal shooting (51.0%-49.1%) and also made a season best eight three-pointers.
LU's first and only lead of the first half was on a three-pointer by Dean to open a 3-2 lead. But UIW ended up with a 15-5 run to end the first quarter up 17-8 as they connected on 70.0% from the field. Big Red had a difficult time making shots going three-of-16 in the quarter.
The second quarter saw UIW stretch their lead to 25-11 early. However, Weems went into takeover mode as she scored 11 points in the quarter, including a three-pointer that closed the gap to 31-26 with 1:38 to go. UIW once again rallied with a late 8-3 run to extend their lead to 39-29 at halftime. Both teams shot over 50.0% from the field in the quarter.
UIW opened the second half by increasing their lead to 43-29. But in what has been a recurring theme all season, LU played comeback ball yet again. They responded with a 12-2 run, which included a play where after Hill made a lay-up, McQueen stole the ball and raced for another lay-up. Big Red closed the gap to 47-45 only to let the other Cardinals lead 51-47 after three. One advantage for LU in the quarter was their ability to hit 53.3% from the field.
As it turned out, the fourth quarter was significant in that LU made 70% from the field. But while they still trailed early, Weems made a three-pointer, which was her 10th made field goal in a row. Her first miss led to a rebound and lay-up by Hill before Brooklyn tied the score with a pair of free throws. Down the stretch, Dean would give LU the lead twice, including an off-balanced three-pointer with the shot clock winding down.
UIW closed the gap to one before Dean connected on another jumper. With LU leading 67-65 and with the ball, Beaumont's Cardinals gave the hot-handed Weems another shot and with ice in her veins, she connected on a late three-pointer to put UIW away. Dean finished her 11-point quarter with a pair of free throws and even with a late three by UIW, Big Red completed the sweep 72-68.
LU returns home this Saturday to Beaumont for their next meeting against Nicholls. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m.
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