Baseball picked to finish middle of Southland
The Lamar University baseball team is picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Southland Conference this season.
The Cardinals were picked to finish sixth by the conference's coaches and fifth in the 12-team circuit by the conference's sports information directors. The top eight teams qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament.
Last season, Lamar went 29-27 overall and 15-18 in conference play to earn the seven spot in the conference tournament. The Cards have won a conference record 10 regular-season championships.
Lamar coach Jim Gilligan felt his team's ranking was fair.
"I think a lot of the coaches respect who we are because seven of our nine starters are going to be new guys," Gilligan said. "For us to get wiped out like that and to be rated not on the bottom, shows a sign of respect for us. There's going to be a lot of good teams fighting for the six-hole come tournament time. It doesn't mean anything. It's about how healthy you stay."
The Cardinals open the 2012 season by hosting Portland at 6 p.m., Feb. 17 in the Lamar Classic at Vincent-Beck Stadium. Lamar begins Southland Conference play at Central Arkansas on March 9.
For a full season preview, see the Feb. 16 print-edition of the University Press.
Lady Cards beat UTSA on late three-pointer
Jasmin Henderson's three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining lifted the Lamar University women's basketball team to a 54-51 win over host UTSA in a Southland Conference game Saturday.
It was the only field goal of the game for Henderson, but it proved to be a big one as it gave the Lady Cardinals (11-11 overall, 3-5 Southland) their second last-gasp victory in as many seasons over the Roadrunners (7-14, 3-5). Last season, Ang Green hit three free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining to propel Lamar to a 69-67 win.
"I thought we played hard and played good defense," Lamar coach Larry Tidwell said. "This was a good win for us."
Gia Ayers sealed the win by hitting a free throw with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Lamar a 54-51 lead. Ayers missed her second free throw, but grabbed her own rebound and ran out the clock.
The Lady Cards played Northwestern State Wednesday. The stats were not available at press time. For results, visit lamaruniversitypress.com
The Lady Cards play Nicholls State Feb. 11 in the Montagne Center. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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