PULLMAN, Wash. - Competing in their first national postseason tournament in five seasons, Lamar University's women's basketball team looked to make the most of their opportunity. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be as the Cardinals' season came to an end with a 66-46 loss to Washington State at the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament. The Cardinals conclude their campaign 24-7, which matches the 2018-19 team.
Jacei Denley finished as the top scorer for the Cardinals scoring 12 points in the game. Akasha Davis recorded her 19th double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the game. Malay McQueen came off the bench to add nine points for the contest.
The Cardinals were outshot 45.1%-34.4% from the field the Cougars' hot shooting from behind the three-point line proved to be the difference as they connected on 10 three's. One thing LU was able to succeed in was capitalizing off turnovers as they doubled the total of points off turnovers 20-10 against WSU.
In the first quarter, the Cardinals had a difficult time trying to overcome the height advantage of WSU as the Cougars raced out to a 16-4 lead. A couple of baskets by McQueen and Mitchell brought LU to within 16-8 only for the Cougars to answer with five straight points and a 21-8 lead after one. Big Red converted 25% from the field.
As the second quarter got started, the Cardinals would show some life as they went on a 10-2 run with Denley scoring six points as LU trailed 23-18. Following the media timeout, the Cougars regained control going out on an 8-0 run to stretch their lead to 31-18. The Cardinals would close the gap to 34-24 at the half as Denley finished with eight in the quarter and LU outshot the Cougars (50.0%-38.5%).
Again, the Cardinals began a quarter with a run as they started 8-3 to close within 38-33. But after a WSU run of six straight, the Cardinals had another answer with McQueen scoring five of LU's seven points to cut the margin to 44-40. A three-pointer by the Cougars made it 47-40 after three quarters.
The Cardinals appeared ready to make another run as Denley tallied LU's first fourth quarter points to trail 47-42. But the Cougars would prevent any chance of a Cardinal comeback as they won the final quarter of LU's season 19-6 holding Big Red to just three field goals.
For the Cardinals, the loss might've ended their season. But LU had taken major steps to achieve a regular season Southland Conference championship and a berth in a national postseason tournament. Big Red will look to take an even bigger step next season.
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