Lady Cardinals Pull Away from Texas Southern Late for a 58-43 Road Win

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Lady Cardinals Pull Away from Texas Southern Late for a 58-43 Road Win

Lamar returns home to host William Carey Monday at 4 p.m.

Nov. 17, 2007

Box Score

HOUSTON - Tamara Abalde and Brittney Williams led the offense, but it was the Lady Cardinals' defense that carried Lamar University to a 58-43 win over Texas Southern Saturday night in non-conference women's basketball action at the H&PE Arena.

Lamar snapped a two-game losing streak and evened its record at 2-2. TSU, playing its home opener, dropped to 0-3 on the season. The Lady Cardinals return home to host William Carey Monday at 4 p.m.

The Lady Cardinals jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead following a free throw by Trashanna Smith at 15:35. Williams had scored six of the team's first eight points. Lamar kept the advantage for the rest of the half and carried a 21-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Neither team shot the ball well in the opening 20 minutes; Lamar connected on just eight-of-24 field goal attempts (33.3 percent), but did manage to make 5 of 7 at the free throw line. TSU shot a dismal 19.5 percent (6-of-31) from the field in the opening stanza. Lamar also enjoyed a 27-22 rebound advantage.

TSU started the second half on fire, going 4 of 8 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range in the first five minutes. Camille Parks led the charge by making two straight three-pointers, the last of which gave the Lady Tigers at brief 27-25 lead with 16:13 remaining in the game.

Aida Bakhos hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 27-27. Williams hit a jumper and Abalde nailed a three-pointer to push Lamar's lead to five, 32-27, at 14:31. However, TSU didn't go away. Another Parks 3-pointer and a layup by Jemelah Lewis tied the game at 32-32 with 13:48 remaining.

Williams hit a pair of free throws, Abalde knocked down a jumper and Bakhos converted a three point play to put Lamar up six, 39-33, at 10:51. The Lady Cards would lead the rest of the way.

 

Abalde was 8 of 17 from the field in scoring her 17 points. She also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Williams was 5 of 9 from the field and 6 of 6 at the free throw line in scoring 16 points. Nikki Williams added nine points, going 7 of 8 at the free throw line.

Lamar shot 40 percent (18-of-45) from the field, 14.3 percent (1-of-7) from 3-point range and 84 percent (21-of-25) from the free throw line. The Lady Cardinals outrebounded TSU 42 to 36.

Parks led TSU with 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Lewis added nine points and six rebounds. Jessica Vann grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

TSU shot 25 percent (15-of-60) from the field, 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from 3-point range and 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the free throw line.

[Guest abovetherim]

Good win leading to Monday afternoon.