BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University recorded win number 20 of the season by defeating Southeastern Louisiana, 70-52 at Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center Thursday evening. With this victory, plus Stephen F. Austin losing to McNeese, the Cardinals have clinched the second seed in the upcoming Southland Conference tournament in Lake Charles, La. The Cardinals also finished 13-1 at their home arena for the third consecutive season.
 
Head coach Aqua Franklin earned her 120^th career victory and made history by becoming the first coach to guide LU to four straight 20-win seasons.
 
T'Aaliyah Miner and Shaila Forman both tallied 11 points to lead LU, while Jacei Denley (nine points) and R'Mani Taylor (eight points) dished out four assists each. Denley also stole the ball a season-high five times.
 
Big Red (20-9, 17-5 SLC) shot 50 percent from the field, including six three-pointers. The Cardinals controlled the paint by outscoring the Lions by 12. LU's bench also contributed to 24 points to get the victory.
 
SLU's only lead of the game came on the first basket, but the Cardinals would rack up a 21-3 run to lead by 16 after the first quarter. Big Red connected on 9-of-13 shooting and held the Lions to 20 percent (2-of-10) on the floor.
 
The Cardinals led by 19 early in the second quarter. SLU suddenly caught fire with four threes to key a 17-2 run and bring the contest to within four. LU regrouped and had a three from Forman, plus four points each from Wilson and Miner to reestablish control and go into halftime up 10.
 
LU scored 21 points in the third quarter with the guards of Denley and Taylor combining for 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Once again, the Cardinals' defense held SLU to two field goals.
 
Big Red made four field goals in the fourth quarter, but would increase the lead to 27 points at the 6:45 mark. With the tournament seeds in place, the Cardinals turned to the bench and Keyiona McDaniel scored the final regular-season basket at home.
 
The Cardinals have guaranteed themselves two byes and automatically advance to the conference tournament semifinals. Their run will start Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m.