By Jonathon Zenk, Northwestern State Assistant Director of Communications; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State could not overcome 25 turnovers and a cold shooting second half, as it fell 58-46 to Lamar on Thursday evening at Prather Coliseum.
The Demons (12-11, 9-5) couldn’t hold a 29-19 halftime lead, as Lamar (16-7, 11-3) went on a 14-0 run and extended 20-2 run to seize control of the contest, fueled by five turnovers in a span of six possessions, as Northwestern State saw its four-game winning streak come to an end.
“It was the same thing,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We got up 20 at their place and got up big here and didn’t come out in the third quarter and take care of business, which really stinks.
“We didn’t take care of the ball. Twenty-five turnovers, you can’t come back from that, leading to 22 points for them. My heart hurts for Nia (Hardison) because she played her heart out and my heart hurts for everybody since we gave that one away.”
Northwestern State turned the ball over 26 times in total, which led to 22 Cardinals points.
The turnovers helped the visiting Cardinals attempt 12 more shot attempts and six more free throws than the Demons.
Not only did the Lamar defense force those turnovers but also limited the Demons to just 33 percent shooting in the second half, while the Cardinals could not be contained, shooting 54.2 percent in the final 20 minutes to outscore the Demons 39-17 and emerge victorious.
R’Mani Taylor came alive in the second half for the Cardinals, scoring 13 of her 16 in the final 20 minutes
The Demons jumped out to a fast start, outscoring the Cardinals 20-8 in the first quarter, shooting 66.7 percent while holding the talented Lamar offense to just 22.2 percent.
After scoring 20 in the first period, Northwestern State was held to a combined 26 in the final three quarters, never scoring more than 10 in a quarter.
“I don’t know if I gave them too many minutes to shoot after halftime or what,” Nimz said. “We weren’t locked in and we were turnover happy. We got in a little bit of foul trouble early and I had to bring some subs in and we didn’t take care of the ball.
Up 10 at halftime and not come out and play tougher in the second half, I am sad for them.”
Nia Hardison scored nine of her season-high and team-high 16 points in the opening quarter, making four of her five shot attempts.
“I just came out ready to play,” Hardison said. “I wasn’t really thinking. I was just out there playing ball and doing what coach told me to do.”
Blake, the reigning SLC Player of the Week, had an incredible first quarter with five points, six rebounds and four assists, but she was limited with foul trouble and was held to 14 points and nine rebounds.
Other than Blake and Hardison, no other Demon scored more than four points.
But much like the first meeting, the Cardinals took the first punch and delivered one back.
In the first half, despite trailing, leading scorer Sabria Dean scored 12 of the team’s 19 points in the first half, keeping the visitors in the game before her teammates joined her in the scoring party.
In addition to Dean and Taylor, NJ Weems also finished in double figures with 10 for Lamar.
After allowing 21 points and 18 rebounds in the first meeting to reigning SLC Player of the Year, the Demons made her be in foul trouble and limited her to just four points on 1-of-7 shooting and five rebounds.
The Demons finish off the weekend with Mike McConathy court dedication day against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday at Prather Coliseum before finishing up their road portion of the schedule against Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans.
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