HUNTSVILLE – Despite a 19-point, 6-rebound night from
Madelyn Batista, the Sam Houston Bearkats could not muster up enough offense on Thursday night against Lamar, falling 68-55 to the Cardinals at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Batista reached double figures for the third straight game for the Kats (5-8, 0-2 WAC) and was incredibly efficient, hitting seven of her 10 shots from the floor, along with a pair of blocks and four steals.
However, Lamar (6-6, 1-2 WAC) took the lead just 19 seconds into the game and never gave it up, leading the final 39:41 of the way to break a 4-game losing streak to the Bearkats that was the longest by Sam Houston in the history of the 68-game series.
Batista was joined in double figures by
Damaya Telemaque (14 points) and
Faith Cook (10 points). But aside from Batista's night, the Kats were dominated in the paint as Lamar outscored them 46-18 in the lane while only attempting four 3-point tries in the game.
Five Cardinals finished in double figures, led by Malay McQueen's 17 points.
Sam Houston will now turn its attention to one of the top teams in the WAC, rival Stephen F. Austin, on Saturday. The game in Nacogdoches is set for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff and will be aired on ESPN+.
