HUNTSVILLE – Faith Cook pumped in 23 points and Courtney Cleveland had a double-double as the Sam Houston women's basketball team shook off the rust from a long layoff to pick up a 63-55 win over Lamar on Monday night at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
 
The Kats (11-6, 7-4 SLC) led nearly the entire way, forcing 28 Lamar turnovers in the game to close out a sweep of the season series. Sam Houston was playing its first game in nine days after having two games on the schedule altered due to the recent winter storm that swept through the area.
 
Cook nailed a trio of triples and was 8-for-10 at the foul line in leading all players in the scoring column in the game. Meanwhile, Cleveland had a double-double by halftime and finished with a dozen points to go with a career-high 15 rebounds.
 
Amber Leggett shook off a slow start that saw her miss her first 10 shots from the field to finish with makes on five of her next nine shots, finishing with a solid night of 13 points and seven rebounds. The Kats also got solid minutes from Kaylee Jefferson who had seven points and four rebounds.
 
The Kats led by six at the half after forcing 18 Lamar turnovers and had the Cardinals at arm's length throughout the second half, not letting LU closer than four points at any time. The Cardinals finished with three players in double figures, led by 14 points from Micaela Wilson.
 
Sam Houston will now turn its attention to a huge game on Wednesday in a doubleheader at Abilene Christian. The game is set for a 5:30 p.m. start from Moody Coliseum and will be streamed on ESPN+.