WBB: SHSU 78 LU 76

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BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals saw their two-game winning streak snapped Wednesday as visiting Sam Houston State held on for a 78-76 Southland Conference women’s basketball win at the Montagne Center.

Baileigh O’Dell had 20 points for LU (8-12 overall, 4-5 Southland), while Kiara Desamours added 19 points and a team-high seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the Cards.

“This game was lost on the defensive end,” LU coach Robin Harmony said. “We couldn’t get the big stops when we needed to.”

Both teams scorched the nets over the first two quarters, a half that saw Sam Houston State (8-11, 4-5) take a 46-45 lead into intermission. The Bearkats shot 57.6 percent (19-of-33) in the first 20 minutes, while LU shot 56.7 percent (17-of-30).

“We did a good job offensively, but we gave them too many good looks,” Harmony said. “They got their confidence and all of a sudden the hoop is as wide as an ocean for them.”

The Bearkats got a double-double from center Angela Beadle, who finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds. Shernise Robertson added 17 points in the win.

“You can’t let somebody get 18 rebounds,” Harmony said. “They outrebounded us 40-28. That’s not acceptable.”

LU led 64-63 after three quarters, but saw the Bearkats open the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run. LU trailed by three points and had the ball with 11 seconds remaining, but Chastadie Barrs‘ 3-pointer was off the mark with three seconds remaining. Beadle made it 78-73 by sinking a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left. LU’s JaMeisha Edwards drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the final margin to two points.

“It’s disappointing, because we take pride in our defense, but we didn’t play well defensively tonight,” O’Dell said. “This is a learning lesson for us.”

Addesha Collins had 14 points for LU, while Laka Blache and Chastadie Barrs added eight points apiece.

The Cardinals return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday when they travel to conference-leading Abilene Christian to open a home-and-home series with the Wildcats. ACU comes to LU at 7 p.m. Feb. 4.

“We know Abilene Christian will be tough,” Harmony said. “We have to go there and be ready to play all 40 minutes.”

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