BEAUMONT, Texas – While Lamar University started this two-game road trip with a win in New Orleans, it remains in a four-way tie for second in the Southland Conference standings, trailing McNeese by a game. The Cardinals will look to finish the trip 2-0 as they head to Thibodaux, La., to take on Nicholls Saturday at the David R. Stopher Gymnasium. The game will start at 1:00 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk KLVI 560.
PREVIOUSLY
The Cardinals (9-6, 6-2 SLC) scored 41 points in the second half to defeat UNO, 72-56 Thursday.
Shaila Forman led all scorers with 18 points.
Jacei Denley added 11 points while
Kamryn Wilson (10) scored in double figures for the fifth consecutive game.
SHAILA CALLED BATON ROUGE FROM NEW ORLEANS
Forman, the Baton Rouge native, scored 15 points in the third quarter on 6-of-10 shooting. She began the quarter by scoring LU's first 12 points. This tied her second-highest point total for the season and was only one point shy of her season-high 19, which she got against Kansas State. It was also her team-leading ninth game in double figures and bumps her average up to 11 points per game.
TOP 3 CONFERENCE OFFENSE AND DEFENSE
LU is currently ranked in the top three in offense and defense during Southland Conference only games. The Cardinals are averaging 67.3 ppg on offense, which is third behind Stephen F. Austin (81.3 ppg) and UT Rio Grande Valley (68.3 ppg). Defensively, LU is second by allowing 56.6 ppg, only trailing McNeese (51.4 ppg).
AQUA TIED FOR THIRD
Head coach
Aqua Franklin currently sits at 109 wins as head coach of Lamar. This puts her tied for third on the all-time list along with Pat Park (1972-78). A win Saturday would put her third all-time with 110 victories. She needs seven victories to pass Robin Harmony for second all-time.
200-300 ASSIST WATCH
R'Mani Taylor and
Jacei Denley are both approaching personal milestones in the assist department. Taylor needs two assists to eclipse 300 for her career while Denley is four away from 200.
ALL TIME VS. NICHOLLS
LU holds a 31-19 edge over the Colonels, after winning the last five contests. The last meeting between these two resulted in the Cardinals winning, 68-49 at home.
KJ Walker scored a season-high 13 points while
Jacei Denley finished with 12 points, five assists, and three steals. Big Red has won five of the last six games at Stopher Gymnasium but holds a 9-14 mark all-time in that building.
ABOUT THE COLONELS
Nicholls (8-7, 4-4 SLC) trails Lamar by 2.0 games in the standings after an 86-78 loss to SFA. Four players all reached double figures against the Ladyjacks, including Emani Burks (17), Jesslyn Jalomo (16), Sh'Diamond McKnight (13), and Sanaiya Morris (12). This game will feature two of the top five defensive teams in conference play, as the Colonels are allowing 59.5 ppg, which is fourth.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return home to the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Thursday for the rematch with East Texas A&M. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
