2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team

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For information on all Lamar University sports, see Lamar Cardinals and Lady Cardinals
2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball
Southland Conference regular season champions
WBIT, First Round
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record24–7 (17–1 SLC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Bianca Smith (3rd season)
  • Raymond Patche (2nd season)
  • Omar Sneed (2nd season)
Home arenaMontagne Center
(Capacity: 10,080)
Seasons
2023–24 Southland Conference women's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Lamar 17 1   .944 24 7   .774
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 14 4   .778 23 9   .719
Southeastern Louisiana 14 4   .778 19 12   .613
Incarnate Word 12 6   .667 19 11   .633
Texas A&M–Commerce* 8 10   .444 15 16   .484
New Orleans 8 10   .444 11 19   .367
Nicholls 7 11   .389 14 18   .438
Northwestern State 7 11   .389 11 19   .367
McNeese 2 16   .111 6 25   .194
Houston Christian 1 17   .056 6 23   .207
* ineligible for the 2024 NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II.
2024 Southland tournament winner

The 2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team represented Lamar University during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Lady Cardinals, led by fifth year head coach Aqua Franklin, played their home games at the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas as members of the Southland Conference. They won the Southland Conference regular season championship with a 17–1 record. Lamar was defeated by Texas A&M–Corpus Christi in the SLC tournament championship game. They were invited to compete in the inaugural 2024 WBIT.[1] Their season ended with a first round loss to Washington State.

Media[edit]

Home games were broadcast on ESPN+. Nine games during the season were broadcast on 560 KLVI/iHeartRadio.

Previous season[edit]

The Lady Cardinals finished the 2022–23 season with an overall record of 20–12 and 12–6 in conference play.[2] Their season ended losing to Southeastern Louisiana in the Southland Conference tournament championship game. Lamar entered the tournament as third seed.[3]

Offseason[edit]

Lamar announced four additions to the roster on May 1, 2023, three transfers and one recruit.

Incoming transfers[edit]

Lamar Incoming Transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Year Hometown Previous School
Teni Kuyinu 21 G 5'10" Junior Houston, Texas Angelina College
Victoria Mason 2 G 5'7" Junior Gilbert, Arizona Hampton University
T'Aaliyah Miner 0 G/F 5'11" Junior New Orleans, Louisiana Moberly Area Community College

Source:[4]

Recruits[edit]

Recruits
Name Number Pos. Height Year Hometown Previous School
Elise Jones 23 G 5'10" Freshman Dallas, Texas Midlothian High School

Source:[4]

Preseason polls[edit]

Southland Conference Poll[edit]

The Southland Conference released its preseason poll on October 10, 2023. Receiving 132 overall votes and 2 first place votes, the Lady Cardinals were picked to finish third in the conference.[5][6]

Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Southeastern Louisiana 159 (15)
2 Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 140 (3)
3 Lamar 132 (2)
4 Incarnate Word 97
T5 Houston Christian 74
T5 McNeese 74
7 Northwestern State 65https://duckduckgo.com/
8 Texas A&M–Commerce 58
9 New Orleans 56
10 Nicholls 39

Preseason All Conference[edit]

Junior Akasha Davis, Forward/Center, was selected to the Preseason All Conference first team. Senior Sabria Dean, Guard, was selected to second team.[5][6]

Roster[edit]

2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals women's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Year Hometown
G/F 0 T'Aaliyah Miner 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) Jr New Orleans, Louisiana
G 1 Jacei Denley 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Fr Beaumont, Texas
G 2 Victoria Mason 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Gilbert, Arizona
G 3 Sabria Dean 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) Sr Mineola, Texas
G 4 Brooklyn Mitchell 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) GS New Orleans, Louisiana
G 5 Cameron Dill 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Fr Beaumont, Texas
G 10 Malay McQueen 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) GS Arlington, Texas
F 13 Taliah Hill 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Jr Arlington, Texas
G 21 Teni Kuyinu 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Jr Houston, Texas
F 22 NJ Weems 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Sr Minneapolis, Minnesota
G 23 Elise Jones 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Fr Dallas, Texas
C 30 R'Mani Taylor 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) So Houston, Texas
G/F 33 Anaya Bernard 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Jr Mansfield, Texas
F/C 41 Akasha Davis 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Jr Dallas, Texas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

6


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: October 25, 2023

Schedule[edit]

Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
Nov 2, 2023*
6:00 pm
North American W 102–37   
                     Naleches Arena 
Beaumont, Texas
Non-Conference season
Nov 8, 2023*
6:00 pm, ESPN+
Texas College W 108–34  1–0
 24  A. Davis   9  A. Davis   7  J. Denley  Neches Arena (728)
Beaumont, Texas
Nov 10, 2023*
5:00 pm, ESPN+
at UT Arlington W 74–57  2–0
 30  S. Dean   5  S. Dean   4  NJ Weems  College Park Center (1,490)
Arlington, Texas
Nov 13, 2023*
6:00 pm, ESPN+
at Texas Tech L 44–61  2–1
 9  R. Taylor   5  S. Dean   2  S. Dean  United Supermarkets Arena (3,678al)
Lubbock, Texas
Nov 16, 2023
6:00 pm, ESPN+
LSU–Alexandria W 72–48  3–13
 15  A. Davis   6  A. Davis   4  B. Mitchell  Neches Arena (543)
Beaumont, Texas
Nov 22, 2023*
12:00 pm
vs. UTEP
St. Pete Showcase
W 56–44  4–1
 14  S. Dean   10  A. Davis   3  J. Denley  McArthur Center (212)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 23, 2023*
2:30 pm
vs. Nebraska
St. Pete Showcase
L 61–75  4–2
 19  S. Dean   8  A. Davis   5  R. Taylor  McArthur Center (283)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Dec 6, 2023*
11:00 am, SECN+
at Texas A&M L 51–83  4–3
 16  S. Dean   5  B. Mitchell   4  J. Denley  Reed Arena (7,529)
College Station, Texas
Dec 13, 2023*
5:00 pm, ESPN+
at Louisiana W 63–60  5–3
 22  A. Davis   10  A. Davis   4  B. Mitchell  Cajundome (648)
Lafayette, Louisiana
Dec 17, 2023*
2:00 pm, ESPN+
at TCU L 51–68  5–4
 15  A. Davis   14  A. Davis   5  R. Taylor  Schollmaier Arena (1,947)
Fort Worth, Texas
Dec 30, 2023*
2:00 pm, ESPN+
LMU W 61–58  6–4
 15  J. Denley   6  S. Dean   4  J. Denley  Neches Arena (539)
Beaumont, Texas
Southland regular season
Jan 4, 2024
7:00 pm, ESPN+
Incarnate Word W 70–53  7–4
(1–0)
 29  S. Dean   16  A. Davis   6  B. Mitchell  Neches Arena (603)
Beaumont, Texas
Jan 6, 2024
3:00 pm, ESPN+
Northwestern State W 73–56  8–4
(2–0)
 29  S. Dean   9  A. Davis   6  R. Taylor  Neches Arena (1,367)
Beaumont, Texas
Jan 11, 2024
7:00 pm, ESPN+
at McNeese
Battle of the Border
W 82–50  9–4
(3–0)
 20  A. Davis   14  A. Davis   4  S. Dean  The Legacy Center (1,824)
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Jan 13, 2024
1:00 pm, ESPN+
at Nicholls W 52–49  10–4
(4–0)
 12  S. Dean   10  A. Davis   4  B. Mitchell  Stopher Gymnasium (455)
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Jan 18, 2024
7:00 pm, ESPN+
Texas A&M –Commerce L 70–73  10–5
(4–1)
 21  A. Davis   18  A. Davis   8  R. Taylor  Neches Arena (824)
Beaumont, Texas
Jan 20, 2024
1:00 pm, ESPN+
at Houston Christian W 65–54  11–5
(5–1)
 29  A. Davis   15  A. Davis   2  Tied (2)  Sharp Gymnasium (383)
Houston, Texas
Jan 25, 2024
7:00 pm, ESPN+
New Orleans W 65–62  12–5
(6–1)
 20  S. Dean   16  A. Davis   3  J. Denley  Neches Arena  (626 )
Beaumont, Texas
Jan 27, 2024
3:00 pm, ESPN+
Southeastern Louisiana W 59–45  13–5
(7–1)
 19  A. Davis   17  A. Davis   5  S. Dean  Neches Arena (985)
Beaumont, Texas
Feb 3, 2024
1:00 pm, ESPN+
at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi W 63–57  14–5
(8–1)
 14  B. Mitchell   11  A. Davis   5  R. Taylor  American Bank Center (1,927)
Corpus Christi, Texas
Feb 8, 2024
6:30 pm, ESPN+
at Incarnate Word W 72–68  15–5
(9–1)
 27  N. Weems    7  S. Dean   3  M. McQueen  McDermott Center (192 )
San Antonio, Texas
Feb 10, 2024
3:00 pm, ESPN+
Nicholls W 70–44  16–5
(10–1)
 17  A. Davis   16  A. Davis   4  S. Dean  Neches Arena (1,597)
Beaumont, Texas
Feb 15, 2024
6:00 pm, ESPN+
at Southeastern Louisiana W 67–60  17–5
(11–1)
 16  S. Dean   9  A. Davis   6  S. Dean  Pride Roofing University Center (953)
Hammond, Louisiana
Feb 17, 2024
2:00 pm , ESPN+
at New Orleans W 63–60  18–5
(12–1)
 19  A. Davis   13  A. Davis   6  R. Taylor  Lakefront Arena (588)
New Orleans, Louisiana
Feb 22, 2024
7:00 pm , ESPN+
McNeese
Battle of the Border
W 73–43  19–5
(13–1)
 14  S. Dean   10  A. Davis   6  S. Dean  Neches Arena (1,896)
Beaumont, Texas
Feb 24, 2024
3:00 pm, ESPN+
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi W 68–63  20–5
(14–1)
 18  A. Davis   16  A. Davis   5  J. Denley  Neches Arena (1,862)
Beaumont, Texas
Feb 29, 2024
6:30 pm, ESPN+
at Texas A&M–Commerce W 74–58  21–5
(15–1)
 22  A. Davis   16  A. Davis   3  N. Weems  The Field House (472)
Commerce, Texas
Mar 2, 2024
1:00 pm, ESPN+
at Northwestern State W 80–64  22–5
(16–1)
 24  A. Davis   11  A. Davis   2  S. Dean  Prather Coliseum   (840)
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Mar 7, 2024
6:00 pm, ESPN+
Houston Christian W 69–47  23–5
(17–1)
 16  A. Davis   10  A. Davis   4  S. Dean  Neches Arena (1,000)
Beaumont, Texas
2024 Jersey Mike's Subs Southland Conference Tournament
Mar 13, 2024
11:00 am, ESPN+
(1) vs. (5) Texas A&M–Commerce
Semifinals
W 83–58  24–5
 23  A. Davis   13  S. Dean   3  R. Taylor  The Legacy Center 
Lake Charles, LA
Mar 14, 2024
4:00 pm, ESPN+
(1) vs. (2) Texas A&M–Corpus Christi
Championship
L 61–68  24–6
 19  S. Dean   11  A. Davis   6  B. Mitchell  The Legacy Center (700)
Lake Charles, LA
2024 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament
Mar 21, 2024
8:00 pm, ESPN+
(8) at (1) Washington State
First round
L 46–66  24–7
 12  J. Denley   10  A. Davis   2  J. Denley  Beasley Coliseum (490)
Pullman, WA
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.

Source:[7][8]

Conference awards and honors[edit]

Weekly awards[edit]

Weekly honors
Honors Player Position Date Awarded Ref.
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Sabria Dean G November 13, 2023 [9]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Sabria Dean G November 27, 2023 [10]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Akasha Davis F/C December 18, 2023 [11]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Sabria Dean G January 8, 2024 [12]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Akasha Davis F/C January 22, 2024 [13]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Akasha Davis F/C January 29, 2024 [14]
SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Akasha Davis F/C March 4, 2024 [15]

See also[edit]

2023–24 Lamar Cardinals basketball team

References[edit]

  1. ^ Matt Newton (March 17, 2024). "Complete 2024 WBIT Bracket - Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament". Fan Nation - Part of the Sports Illustrated Media Group. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Lamar Cardinals Schedule 2022-23". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  3. ^ James Hill (March 9, 2023). "Top-Seeded Southeastern Roar Back in Second Half to Claim First-Ever Southland Basketball Championship". Southland Conference. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  4. ^ a b James Dixon (May 1, 2023). "Four Incoming Cardinals Set To Join 2023-24 Squad". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Southeastern Chosen as Preseason Women's Basketball Favorite; Preseason All-Conference Announced". Southland Conference. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Kenneth Cline (October 10, 2023). "Cards Place Third in Preseason Polls; Davis & Dean Named Preseason All-Conference". Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "2023-24 Women's Basketball Schedule". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Lamar Cardinals Schedule 2023-24". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Callum Squires (November 13, 2023). "Lamar's Sabria Dean wins opening SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week award". Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Callum Squires (November 27, 2023). "Lamar's Sabria Dean wins second SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week award this season". Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  11. ^ James Hill (December 18, 2023). "Lamar's Davis Named Southland Women's Basketball Player of the Week". Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Callum Squires (January 8, 2024). "Sabria Dean wins her third SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Award". Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  13. ^ Callum Squires (January 22, 2024). "Lamar's Davis earns her second SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week honor this season". Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Callum Squires (January 29, 2024). "Davis repeats as SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week". Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Callum Squires (March 4, 2024). "Akasha Davis wins fourth SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week award of 2023-24". Retrieved March 4, 2024.