BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University entered the final quarter of their contest against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi up 11 points and looking to end their skid. But unfortunately, they were stunned by the Southland Conference’s best defense, who held them to 11 points while they rallied back to knock off LU 61-59. The Cardinals are 8-9 overall and 2-4 in the SLC.
LU had three members scoring double-figures as Portia Adams tallied 17 points to lead LU. R’Mani Taylor came off the bench to have 12 points while Akasha Davis put up 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. LU finished the game with 42.9% from the field shooting.
Following an opening basket by Davis, the Cardinals allowed the Islanders to get on a 9-0 run putting them down 9-2. Over the rest of the quarter, LU responded with a 12-1 run, which was sparked by a pair of threes from McQueen. LU then took the lead on a Dean layup and led 14-10 in a first quarter that saw them convert 54.5% from the field.
The second quarter would see Adams in takeover mode. She tallied 14 of LU’s 15 points on just five-of-six shooting including three from downtown. While Islanders would close the gap to 23-19, Big Red extended their lead to 10 points before a late AMCC basket brought the score to 29-21. That quarter gave the Cardinals a 45.5% shooting performance.
A three by Dean in the third brought the Cardinals up 32-25. AMCC created an 8-3 run that cut the margin to 35-33. But with Davis putting up six points, Big Red ran up an 13-4 surge, which got LU ahead up 48-37 going to the fourth and final quarter.
Taylor would spark a seven point fourth quarter as she brought LU to a 52-40 lead with just 8:11 to go. The Islanders cut the lead to five only for Dean to answer with a three point with 5:57 left. However, AMCC would use their defense to hold the Cards to just one more field goal while they tied the score with 59 seconds to go. LU’s chance to take the lead backfired and the Islanders would grab control as a pair of free throws left gave them a 61-59 lead. The Cardinals tried to go inside on the final play, but AMCC deflected the ball and sealed the victory.
LU will set their sights on battling UIW this Saturday at 3:00 p.m, at the Montagne Center.