HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team secured a commanding 66-42 victory over HCU in the University Center Monday evening.
Three Lady Lions contributed double-digit scoring to extend Southeastern's (16-3, 10-0 SLC) lead in the game to continue to defend its record of 7-0 at home this season. Senior guard
Alexius Horne led all scorers with 17 points and five rebounds against Houston Christian (5-14, 2-8 SLC). Horne claimed her third consecutive game in double figures shooting 5-13 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line while tying a career high 5-6 from the three-point line.
Nicholls transfer
Lexi Alexander (13 points) gained her third double-double for the green and gold with 10 rebounds and two steals. The Round Rock, Tex. native finished with a solid performance to help SLU defend its home court, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 100.0 percent from the stripe.
Cheyanne Daniels finished with an exceptional performance of 12 points and a career high 15 rebounds to assert her dominance throughout the contest. The senior secured her first double-double of the season shooting five-of-six from the field and two-of-two from the free throw line in her breakout performance over HCU. Daniels proved to be relentless on the boards, with 10 offensive rebounds, to help Southeastern earn a season high 51 rebounds.
Senior
Taylor Bell (nine points) followed up shooting 40.0 percent from the field with seven rebounds to contribute a surge of momentum off the bench.
SLU closed out the game with two dominant quarters in the second half to seal the deal over the Huskies and improve to 10-0 in conference play. The Lady Lions gained 34 points in the paint and 19 bench points as their tenacious defense also collected 17 points off turnovers.
Southeastern came out to a slow start in the opening minutes of the contest as Houston Christian gained a few quick buckets to fuel their confidence early in the game. Both teams battled to control the tempo of the first quarter as SLU's shooting woes struck early, shooting 36.8 percent from the field. Horne helped the Lady Lions to recover midway in the first quarter, draining three three-pointers from behind the arch to produce electrifying momentum. Southeastern also chipped in 10 points in the quarter from second chance opportunities and transition, but Houston Christian fought to stay within reach. Amy Cotton (seven points) converted on a few buckets for the HCU in hopes of gaining the early momentum while on the road. As SLU worked to try and build a reasonable lead, the Huskies remained in the fight to close out the first quarter down by four, 20-16.
The Lady Lions came out on a roll in the second quarter with a 10-point scoring run in the first two minutes of the quarter. Southeastern reverted back to its season long strength, acquiring 10 points in the paint as its defense turned up another notch. Daniels and Alexander continued to assert their physicality on the boards, securing 14 second chance points for SLU. HCU weathered the storm and produced its own counter attack to continue to keep the deficit within reach. Kendall Beck (11 points) showcased her versatility in the second quarter, knocking down two three-pointers to fuel a spark of momentum for the Huskies. SLU hung onto its lead to end the first half with a nine-point advantage, 36-27.
Returning from the halftime break, the tables turned as the shooting woes fell upon Houston Christian in the third quarter. Southeastern's defense came out on a mission to limit every opportunity for the Huskies. Five Lady Lions in the quarter gained a steal to contribute six points off HCU's six turnovers. SLU gained a dominant 16-7-point edge over the Huskies as it fired from all front to gain an 18-point lead in the last minute of the third quarter. As Southeastern pulled ahead, its defense continued to smother Houston Christian forcing the visitors to shoot 18.2 percent from the field. HCU chipped in a few points at the free throw line as the Lady Lions ended the third quarter up 52-34.
Lyric Barr (nine points) also battled to contribute for the Huskies, but Southeastern dialed in on its mission to protect the den as it forced HCU into eight turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. SLU maintained their position leading the conference in scoring defense as it gained a 13-7-point advantage in the quarter. The Huskies had no answer for the Lady Lions second half surge of momentum to continue its undefeated run-in league play.
SLU won the battle on the boards with a 51-28 advantage over HCU to close out the game. The Lady Lions finished shooting 33.3 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three-point line and 85.7 percent from the free throw line in the win.
Southeastern will remain at home for a highly anticipated game against conference rival Lamar Thursday evening at 6 p.m. in the University Center. Thursday's game 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 X, like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit
www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern offers mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
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.
