BEAUMONT, Texas –
Jacei Denley scored a season-high 19 points while
Chisom Oguego recorded her first double-double as Lamar University extended its winning streak to five with a 66-56 win over East Texas A&M Thursday evening at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
Denley converted 7-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line. The Beaumont native also grabbed six rebounds and dished out eight assists to put her over 200 for her career. Oguego went 4-of-7 from the floor to score 10 points, grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds and blocked two shots. Also in double figures was
Shaila Forman (5-of-9), who netted 10 points and added a pair of assists.
Alexis Parker came off the bench to total seven points while
R'Mani Taylor recorded her 300
th career assist, which puts her tied for seventh all-time in program history with Barbara Hickey.
LU shot 43 percent (26-of-61) from the field and made half of its 10 three-point attempts. The Cardinals outscored ETAMU, 29-5, off the bench. Defensively, both teams finished with 39 rebounds and six blocks.
Forman netted six of LU's first eight points early in the first quarter, but the Cardinals were unable to lead by more than five. After trailing 11-6, the Lions roared back to within one, but Denley stepped up to score four consecutive points. Shooting 43.8 percent from the field, the Cardinals led 18-15 after the first quarter.
LU's 21 points in the second quarter would be the difference in the win. The Cardinals opened with a 10-2 run, which was ignited by five points off the bench from
Alexis Parker. Denley added eight points to have 12 at the end of the first half. Big Red converted 57.1 percent shooting to lead 39-29 at halftime.
Both teams scored 27 points in the second half, but the Lions trimmed the deficit to 41-35 early in the third quarter. LU further separated itself by ending the quarter on a 14-5 run as both Denley and Oguego scored five points. Among the key plays of the quarter was a block shot by Oguego, who then scored a fast-break layup.
Despite allowing the Lions to win the fourth quarter, 16-11, LU's defense kept the opponents down to 28.1 percent (9-of-32) in the second half. Oguego crashed the boards in the fourth quarter as she secured seven rebounds to complete her double-double.
The Cardinals will turn their focus to a key Saturday showdown at home with longtime rival Stephen F. Austin for control of second place. The game will tip off at 1:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on KLVI Newstalk 560.
