SAN ANTONIO — In a nip-and-tuck game down to the final few minutes, Lamar University was able to grind out a tough 74-67 win against the University of Incarnate Word in the Battle of Cardinals. Already with a three-game winning streak and winners of five of their last six, LU is currently 13-10 overall and 7-5 in conference play, which puts them in a hold for fourth place in the Southland Conference.
For the third game in a row, Akasha Davis scored over 20 points as she tallied 23 on this night going 10-of-13 while recording her 11th career double-double with 12 rebounds. Portia Adams netted 15 points while R’Mani Taylor and Sabria Dean picked up 13 and 11 points respectively. LU’s Cardinals barely edged out UIW’s Cardinals in the shooting department (50.0%-49.0%).
UIW opened the game off with an 13-2 run, which included three treys from downtown. But LU response with a 9-1 run including five from Davis as they cut the deficit to 14-11. Both teams would end the quarter with a three-pointer as UIW claimed a 17-14 lead through one.
LU secured their first lead of the contest with five straight points to open the second. After each team battled to a 22-22 tie, UIW used a 5-2 run for a 29-24 lead. LU wouldn’t back down as they responded with an 8-2 run to grab a 32-31 lead following a Malay McQueen three-pointer. Each team traded a lead as LU went into the locker room up 34-33.
A three by Taylor opened the third quarter only for UIW to answer back with a nine-point run for a 42-37 edge. UIW continued to hold firm on the game as they created a seven-point lead at 51-44 with under five to play in the third. But when Dean was fouled on a three-point attempt and converted her free throws, the momentum swung in LU’s favor as they were able to trim the deficit to 57-54.
UIW converted a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter. But, the LU would go on a run of 10 straight points that gave them the lead for good. A critical play happened as LU turned the ball over only for Dean to flick the ball right to McQueen who netted a crucial lay-up. UIW thrice cut the deficit to one as it was 68-67 with 3:42 to go. Taylor converted a jumper and UIW’s tying three clanged off the iron. LU sealed the win with free throws by Davis and Dean and completed a 6-0 run in the final three minutes.
The Cardinals now set their sights on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders this Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.
