Box Score

HAMMOND – Behind double-double efforts from senior forward Rashima Jenkins and senior center Rachel Mackie, the Southeastern Louisiana women's basketball remained perfect at home with a 56-52 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday night in the University Center.

Junior guard Kelli Jenkins led Southeastern with 14 points and hit two clinching free throws in the final seconds to help the Lady Lions (8-3) to their third straight victory. Southeastern, which improved to 5-0 at home this season, closed out its non-conference home schedule with a win thanks to a 6-0 game-closing run that dropped Louisiana-Lafayette to 8-5 overall.

Rashima Jenkins and Mackie each scored 10 points. Rashima Jenkins pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds and Mackie grabbed 10 as the Lady Lions out-rebounded Louisiana-Lafayette, 46-36.

Southeastern Louisiana head coach Lori Davis Jones cited the Lady Lions' no turnovers in the final 9:13 of the game and their dedication to crashing the boards down the stretch as key factors in the victory.

“Taking care of the basketball down the stretch was key for us tonight,” Jones commented. “We also did a great job of limiting their second chance opportunities in crunch time. We showed some grit tonight and this is a nice victory for us heading into the break.

“Rachel and Rashima had a great effort and we're really pleased with both of them getting double-doubles,” Jones added when asked about her senior post tandem's dual double-doubles. “We've got to continue to concentrate on getting the ball in the post to both of them, along with (freshman forward) Aja Gibson, to help relieve the pressure on our perimeter players. If they get the touches offensively, they are going to always be double-double threats because we know that Rachel and Rashima are going to go after the rebounds.”

Louisiana-Lafayette moved out to a four-point lead in the opening half and stretched its advantage to eight points on a jumper by senior forward Lyndra Bell with 13:19 remaining. Southeastern answered, however, as a 3-point field goal by junior guard Latoria Holder capped a 9-0 run that gave the Lady Lions a 39-38 lead with 9:51 left.

The final stretch of the game featured five lead changes and two ties before Louisiana-Lafayette took a 52-50 lead on junior guard Michelle Brunker's third three-point field goal of the game with 2:18 left.
After the team's traded empty possessions, Kelli Jenkins knotted the score with a pull-up jumper with 1:36 left. A miss by ULL junior center Kemi Rotibi and a Mackie defensive rebound gave Southeastern the ball back with a chance to take the lead.

After a timeout, Mackie got free for a free throw line jumper that rattled home for a 54-52 Southeastern lead. On the other end, Mackie stole an entry pass from ULL senior guard Jasmine Barnes, setting up the clinching free throws by Kelli Jenkins.

Rotibi came off the bench for a team-high 12 points to lead three Ragin' Cajuns in double figures. Brunker added 11 points, while Bell chipped in with 10 points. Junior guard Nicole Morris paced ULL with eight rebounds and six assists.

Southeastern will close out its non-conference schedule on Monday, Jan. 3, facing Tulane at 7 p.m. in New Orleans. The game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.