BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University's defense held Northwestern State to four points in the fourth quarter and turned a one-point deficit into a 54-45 victory at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Thursday evening. The victory is head coach Aqua Franklin's 114th of her career, putting her one win away from tying for second all-time.
 
Jacei Denley (6-of-12) led all scorers with 18 points while R'Mani Taylor went 7-of-12 from the floor and finished with 15 points. The two guards, along with Kamryn Wilson (seven points), each dished out two assists, while Shaila Forman grabbed six rebounds to go along with seven points.
 
The Cardinals (14-7, 11-3 SLC) shot 40 percent from the floor and were helped by 11 points from the bench. The Demons outrebounded LU by one and made 11-of-14 from the free throw line.
 
LU missed its first four shots before Wilson connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at four. The Demons then broke out an 8-2 run, hitting four of their next five shots and leading 12-6. Wilson and Denley tallied five points each to close within 14-11 after the first quarter.
 
LU hit 5-of-17 in the second quarter yet still trailed 30-25 at halftime. The Demons extended their lead to nine points midway through the quarter. With 1:21 left, a technical foul called on NSU sent Denley to the free-throw line, where she knocked down two free throws and finished with 11 points in the half.
 
Denley added five points in the third quarter, but it was Taylor who went off for 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting. NSU's lead was 39-34 when Taylor manufactured six consecutive points, putting LU ahead for the first time in the game. The lead was short-lived as NSU responded with free throws to go up 41-40.

Forman's early fourth-quarter lay-up put LU ahead for good and started a run of 12 consecutive points that saw the first double-digit lead of the game. NSU's scoring drought lasted for nine minutes and 12 consecutive misses before they got on the board. The Demons' four points in the quarter were the second fewest LU has allowed this season.

Big Red hits the road to Nacogdoches for a showdown with Stephen F. Austin Saturday at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game will start at 2 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI.