HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team shot 65 percent from the floor and forced 20 Northwestern State turnovers on the way to a 90-56 win over the Lady Demons in the Southland Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon in the University Center.
 
Playing for the first time in 25 days, Southeastern (5-6, 1-0 Southland) showed no signs of rust. The 90 points were the most scored by the Lady Lions versus a Southland Conference opponent since a 93-84 victory over Nicholls in the 2020-21 season.
 
"I'm just very proud of our team," SLU head coach Ayla Guzzardo said. "We've been competing against each other and helping make each other better throughout this break."
 
A total of 11 different Lady Lions scored. Chrissy Brown paced a balanced effort with 14 points off the bench, while Morgan Carrier (13 points), Caitlyn Williams (12 points) and Breonca Ducksworth (10 points). Both Williams (6-for-6) and Ducksworth (5-for-5) were perfect from the floor.
 
Cierria Cunningham led SLU with five assists, as the Lady Lions dished out 20 assists versus just 15 turnovers as a team. Southeastern finished with a 35-23 rebounding advantage, as Williams pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Ducksworth led the SLU defensive effort with five steals.
 
Guzzardo singled out the efforts of Natalie Kelly, who contributed nine points, four rebounds and a blocked shot in 13 minutes off the bench.
 
"Natalie has been struggling a little bit, but has consistently put in the work for us," Guzzardo commented. "She's been in the gym every day and it showed in her play today. We're super proud of her."
 
Northwestern State (7-5, 0-1 Southland) was led by Candice Parramore, who finished with a game-high 20 points in the loss. Parramore also paced NSU with three steals.
 
After a competitive first quarter that saw Southeastern grab a 20-14 lead, the Lady Lions busted open the game in the second quarter. SLU outscored NSU, 25-4, in the second quarter to take a commanding 45-18 lead at the break.
 
Any hope of a Lady Demon comeback was squashed early in the third quarter. The Lady Lions made their first nine shots of the second half to grow the lead to as many as 35. Southeastern shot 83.3 percent (10-for-12) in the third quarter and finished the second half with a 76 percent (19-for-25) showing.
 
The Lady Lions will open the road portion of their Southland Conference schedule next Thursday. Southeastern will travel to face New Orleans at 5 p.m. in Lakefront Arena. The game at the Privateers will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Women's Basketball, follow @LionUpWBB on Twitter, like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.