BEAUMONT – Three East Texas A&M University women's basketball players scored in double digits at the Lamar Cardinals on Thursday night, but the Lions fell 66-56 at the Neches Arena.
 
In an even first four minutes of the game, both teams were tied at six with three lead changes and two ties, but then a Cardinal 5-0 run gave them a lead that they did not give up for the rest of the game.
 
The Lions did pull to within 11-10, but the Cardinals did not allow the margin to get any closer. Lamar had the 21-14 advantage in the second quarter, shooting 57 percent from the field and 3 for 5 for deep, including a three-pointer right before the buzzer to take a 39-29 lead at the half.
 
A quick 6-0 run by the Lions early in the third quarter brough the margin down to six, but the Cardinals answered by scoring the next five and holding the Lions without a point for the next two minutes to go back up by 11.
 
After the Cardinals took a game-best 62-44 lead, the Lions scored 10 of 12 to cut the deficit down to 10 points. Lamar shot 2 for 8 from the field during that stretch. The Cardinals allowed the Lions to score just two points in the last 2:43 of the game.
 
Reza Po (San Bruno, Calif.) scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Lions, followed by 13 points and three boards from Nina Horvath (Oberwart, Austria). Tiani Ellison (Durant, Okla.) tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Lions shot 36.2 percent from the field, 15 percent from deep, and 65 percent at the line. On the other end, the Cardinals finished the game shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point arc, and 69.2 percent at the line.
 
Both teams had 39 rebounds in the game. Lamar's Chisom Oguego came off the bench but totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Jacie Denley scored game-best 19 points for the Cardinals.
 
The Lions have lost four in a row and fall to 7-10 overall and 3-7 in Southland Conference play. Lamar has won six straight over East Texas A&M, is now 8-0 at home this season, 11-6 overall, and 8-2 against SLC opponents.
 

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The next scheduled game for the Lions is at home against New Orleans next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.