NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Sabria Dean recorded a season-high 29 points for Lamar University (14-6, 9-2 SLC) Saturday at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Her performance, plus a late Cardinal comeback was not enough as Stephen F. Austin (18-5, 8-4 SLC) pulled out a 72-66 victory.

Dean connected on 11-of-19 from the field and had two steals along with Taliah Hill, who blocked two shots defensively for LU. NJ Weems (six rebounds) and Jacei Denley each posted 11 points. R'Mani Taylor, who tallied eight points, dished out four assists.

The Cardinals converted 41.9 percent from the field, including four from three-point range and outrebounded SFA, 33-31. LU's bench outscored the Ladyjacks 17-11 and was able to turn 17 SFA turnovers into 23 points.

At first, the Cardinals opened with a 6-3 lead. SFA responded with eight unanswered points to lead 11-6, a lead which they would hold onto for the remainder of the contest. Dean closed the gap to one with a pair of jumpers to have six in the first quarter, but a pair of threes including a buzzer-beater from the Ladyjacks gave SFA a 17-12 cushion.  

Following an SFA three to open the second quarter, the Cardinals tallied seven-straight points to get within 20-19. For the rest of the half, the Ladyjacks stormed out to a 14-6 surge on 53.8 percent shooting to grab a 34-25 lead at the break. Dean finished the first half with 12 points while LU shot 41.7 percent in the quarter.

For most of the third quarter, the Cardinals trailed by double digits as SFA had the hot touch shooting 7-of-10 from the field. Dean put together nine points in the third to be at 21 and also bring LU to within 44-37 at the 4:54 mark. Once again, SFA had a late run to be up 54-43 heading into the final quarter.

With 8:41 remaining, SFA's lead stood at 58-45 when the Cardinals started coming back with a 16-8 run to get within five (66-61). Weems started the run with four points while Denley and Dean each made crucial three-point plays. While SFA answered with a dagger to lead 69-61, the Cardinals refused to quit. Free throws from Denley, a key block from Hill, and Dean's 29th point led to the Cardinals bringing the score to 69-66. SFA missed a shot, and the Cardinals got the ball with a chance to tie. In the end, LU committed a costly turnover and the Ladyjacks iced the win with free throws.

LU is returning to the friendly confines of the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Thursday as it will host defending Southland Conference tournament champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 

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