THIBODAUX, La. – Lamar University scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to pick up its fourth consecutive win by defeating Nicholls, 72-64, Saturday at Stopher Gym. The win was also the 110th in head coach
Aqua Franklin's career as she now moves past Pat Park (1972-78) for third all-time in program history. She needs five more wins to tie Robin Harmony (2013-19) for second.
Kamryn Wilson led the Cardinals with 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting and made six free throws.
R'Mani Taylor (7-of-9) added 17 points while
Taliah Hill (4-of-6) scored 12 points and tied a team-high of six rebounds with Wilson and
Shaila Forman.
The Cardinals (10-6, 7-2 SLC) shot 46.9 percent (23-of-49) from the field, including five from behind the three-point arc, while making 21-of-29 from the free throw line. Big Red dominated the glass with 40 rebounds, but the Colonels (8-8, 4-5 SLC) outscored LU, 36-26, in the paint and stole the ball 12 times.
Lamar started the game on a 6-2 run with a pair of three-point plays. Wilson netted seven points to put the Cardinals up 13-9 at the 3:34 mark. For the rest of the quarter, the Colonels, who made 50 percent, battled back to lead 17-16 while LU was held to just one field goal.
Trailing by four early in the second quarter, the Cardinals responded with a 13-4 run to lead 31-26. Keying this run was Taylor, who made all three field goals to score seven points. LU's run stopped when it was called for a technical foul, which allowed Nicholls to score four unanswered. Big Red finished the quarter shooting 38.5 percent and held a 32-30 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was back-and-forth as the Cardinals never led by more than five. Again, it was Taylor who took control with six points in a quarter that saw Big Red make 53.8 percent (7-of-13). The Cardinals held Nicholls to 33.3 percent from the field but led 49-45.
LU stretched its lead to eight midway through the fourth quarter following an 8-2 run. The Colonels wouldn't back down and clawed back to 57-54.
Solenne Olenga came off the bench to deliver a key lay-up. With 3:04 to play, the Cardinals were rewarded with four free throws after Nicholls was hit with two fouls, including a technical. LU capitalized on the free throws before Wilson delivered the dagger with five unanswered points in the last minute.
Lamar will return to the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Thursday to have a rematch with East Texas A&M. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
