BEAUMONT, Texas — From Lamar Athletics
For the first time since 2013, the Lamar University women's basketball team will host a postseason game. The Cardinals host the Jaguars of South Alabama in the First Round of the WNIT on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. from the Montagne Center.
Lamar is making its fourth appearance in the WNIT. Besides the 2019 appearance, the other times LU appeared in the WNIT was 2011, 2014, and 2018. This is the first time in program history to appear in the WNIT in back-to-back seasons.
Tickets are on-sale now for the contest. Side court tickets for the WNIT contest are $9, end court seats $7 and general admission are $6. Tickets will go on sale at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Women's Basketball Season Ticket Holders will have their seats protected until Friday, March 22 at 12:00 p.m.
For tickets, call 409-880-1715, or stop by the Montagne Center ticket office or buy online, by clicking here. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
The winner of the Cardinals and Jaguars plays the winner of the North Colorado and Wyoming contest in the second round of the WNIT. Second round action for the WNIT is set for March 23-26.
THIS WEEK – SOUTH ALABAMA, March 22 at 7 p.m. (Montagne Center)
Series Record: 9-12 (22nd Meeting)
Last Meeting: Jan. 3rd, 2005 (74-57, South Alabama)
South Alabama enters the WNIT coming off a 57-56 defeat to the Trojans of Little Rock in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game. The Jaguars come to Beaumont, Texas for the first round of the WNIT with a 24-10 overall record.
South Alabama is led in scoring by Savannah Jones, who is averaging 14.7 points per game. Jones leads two other Jaguars who average in double-figures. Antoinette Lewis (14.5), and Shaforia Kines (13.0) round out the double-figure scorers. Jones leads the team in made three-pointers, as she has made 76 threes on the season. Lewis leads the team in rebounding, as she averages 9.1 rebounds per game.
As a team, South Alabama is averaging 67.7 points per game and are shooting 41.8 percent from the floor. The Jaguars scored a season-high 97 points against Faulkner on Dec. 17. Opponents are averaging 62.6 points per game and shooting 35.6 percent from the floor on the season.
On March 11, the Sun Belt Conference announced its All-Sun Belt teams. The Jaguars placed two on the team as Antoinette Lewis was named All-Sun Belt First Team and Savannah Jones was named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team.
LAST TIME OUT – ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Senior Moe Kinard scored a game-high 34 points, but it wasn't enough as Lamar University dropped an 88-79 decision to Abilene Christin in the 2019 Southland Conference Championship semifinals Saturday afternoon from the Merrell Center from Katy, Texas.
Kinard led an offense that was 28-of-68 (.412) from the field, including a 10-of-26 (.385) performance from three-point range. The Cardinals forced ACU into 19 turnovers which they converted into 24 points.
Kinard was joined in double figures by three teammates. Freshman Umaja Collins had 12 points, while senior Chastadie Barrs and freshman Miya Crump each added 10.
"We played a really solid three quarters of basketball and the last quarter, the wheels fell off for us," remarked head coach Robin Harmony. "Give credit to Abilene Christian. They came out and shot the lights out. Once you let a very good team get the lead it's tough to come back. Hats off to our kids as we did not quit."
The Wildcats never cooled down finishing the afternoon knocking down 26-of-42 attempts (.619), including an 8-of-16 (.500) on three-pointers. The Wildcats also took advantage of their attempts from the free throw line (28-of-30/.933). Breana Wright led ACU with 31 points. She was one of four Wildcats in double figures.
ACU also outrebounded Big Red by three, but the Cardinals held 20-5 advantage in second chance points.
UP NEXT
With a win, the Cardinals advance to the second round of the WNIT, where they would play the winner of the Northern Colorado and Wyoming contest.
Fans can stay tuned to LamarCardinals.com or @LamarAthletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram all season long for updates on women's basketball and all other LU teams competing in the 2018-19 season.