Feb. 2, 2008

Box Score

BEAUMONT - The McNeese State women's basketball team threw everything they had at the Lamar University women's basketball team Saturday night at the Montagne Center, and it proved to be just enough as the Cowgirls handed LU an 81-74 loss.

The Cowgirls, who entered the game at 4-15 on the year and 2-3 in Southland Conference play, used an overwhelming offensive effort in the second half to improve to 5-15 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Lady Cardinals fell to 12-7 overall and 5-1 in conference play with the loss, their first setback at home this season.

With the game tied at 32 at halftime, the Cowgirls came out firing to open the second half and took their first lead of the game with 17:50 to play on a jumper by Shante' Perry. They never looked back after that, as Courtnee' Hollins sank a pair of three pointers on their next two trips down court.

McNeese continued to build on their lead over the next eight minutes, leading by as much as 12 points with 9:38 on another jumper by Perry, who finished with a season-high 21 points.

The Lady Cardinals looked like they had taken the Cowgirls' best shot and were ready to make a comeback, but could never close the gap any closer than three points down the stretch. Lamar got it to three on jumper by Nikki Williams with 2:02 to play, but McNeese quickly answered.

Brittany Boone made a lay up after McNeese broke the Lady Cardinal press and gave the Cowgirls a five point lead with 1:41 to play, and never allowed Lamar to get any closer.

McNeese finished the second half 9-12 from behind the three point arc, coupled with a 12-12 performance at the free throw line. Overall, the Cowgirls hit 66.7 percent (14-21) of their shots in the final 20 minutes.

The Lady Cards also had a solid offensive effort in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor, going 16-32 while making seven of their 10 free throws.

Williams led the way for the Lamar offense with 22 points, while Aida Bakhos finished with a career-high 17 points, paced by a career-best four three pointers on four attempts. Tamara Abalde added 12 points for the Lady Cards while Trashanna Smith chipped in with 10.

McNeese was led by Hollins who was six for eight behind the three point arc and eight for eight at the free throw line, finishing with 30 points. Perry finished with 21 and Boone added 18 points for the Cowgirls.

The Lady Cardinals will be in action again on Thursday night when they host Nicholls State at 7 p.m. at the Montagne Center.