HOUSTON, Texas - Sabria Dean climbed up to number two on the all-time scoring list as Lamar University (19-7, 14-3 SLC) used defense to knock off Houston Christian (6-21, 3-14 SLC), 62-30, Saturday afternoon at Sharp Gym. LU maintains its second place position by a half game on Stephen F. Austin.
 
Entering Saturday with 1,723 points, Dean needed eight to eclipse Cardinals Hall of Honor member Uirannah Jackson for second all-time in program history. She would get those eight points by hitting 3-of-4 from the free throw line and a pair of field goals to end the day with 1,731 points.
 
Akasha Davis recorded her 10th double-double on the season with 18 points (6-of-11 shooting) and 16 rebounds. In her hometown, R'Mani Taylor netted nine points and grabbed four rebounds while T'Aaliyah Miner added eight points and pulled down five boards.
 
The Cardinals finished the game shooting 34.5 percent from the field and converted 85 percent (17-of-20) from the free throw line. LU's stifling defense forced 20 HCU turnovers and held the Huskies to 22.4 percent from the field - the lowest total allowed all season long.
 
Early on, LU struggled to hit from the field going 2-of-9, with Davis hitting both buckets. After a 4-4 tie, the Cardinals rattled off 11-straight points, which included seven from Taylor. The Cardinals converted 40 percent in the quarter while HCU was held to 27.3 percent and trailed 15-6.
 
The second quarter saw five field goals combined between the two teams although LU outscored the Huskies 12-4 to lead 27-10 at the break. Davis started the quarter scoring the first six points, with four coming from the free throw line while grabbing seven rebounds to secure her double-double. HCU was held without a field goal for six minutes until it scored four points in the final four minutes.
 
LU carried its momentum into the third quarter going on a 12-2 run for a 39-12 lead with Davis picking up four points. The Huskies showed signs of life by going on an 8-2 run to trail 41-20 after three. Big Red finished the quarter hitting 35.7 percent from the field.
 
As the final quarter started, HCU crept into LU's lead with four quick points. Head coach Aqua Franklin put her starters back in and that was when Dean made her run. A three-pointer at 7:29 put Dean at 1,729 points. Then, with time winding down on the shot clock, Dean got tripped up, but regained her dribble, and put up a step back jumper from the right side to score career point number 1,731. LU took care of business the rest of the way to finish 62-30 victors.


With three games left in the season, LU will host its last two home games at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center this week. The first game will be Thursday as the Cardinals host Nicholls. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
 

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