Junior guard Peaches Anderson battles her way to another basket during the game against Central Arkansas and finishes with 11 points. The Lion’s Roar / Taja Morgan

Despite their best efforts, the Lady Lions basketball team fell short against the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears. 

The game was held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4 in the University Center with a final score of 60-48.

Junior forward Nanna Pool finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds also managing to lead Southeastern with her ninth double-double of this season. After missing a previous eight games and playing for her first time since Dec. 9, senior Symone Miller added 11 points for Southeastern along with senior guard, Elizabeth Styles adding a game high of four assists.

With the first half being evenly played, neither team led by more than seven points. With eight points from Pool, the Lady Lions were able to trail just 30-33 when the halftime rolled around.

Head coach Yolanda Moore felt the Lady Lions could have done better throughout the game.

“We could have made more shots and we allowed their star player to get 25 points,” said Moore. “We did not rebound well and we did not play with the energy we had the night before.”

During the second half, the Lady Lions struggled with getting shots to fall. Southeastern was held by UCA without a field goal for the first 12:31 of the first period. The team managed to score their first bucket of the half by senior forward Jameika Hoskins. With Southestern’s previous struggles, Lady Wildcats snagged a 49-36 lead with a remaining 7:29.

Southeastern’s lead was briefly cut down to single digits. 

With a strict hold on Southeastern, UCA held Lady Lions to 17.3 percent (4-for-23).

On Saturday, the Lady Lions traveled to Abilene, Texas to head off against Abilene Christian Lady Wildcats. The game was held at the Moody Coliseum. The Lady Lions stumbled and fell short by a single point, ending the game with a final score of 75-74.

Southeastern managed to land 3-7 in league play along with an overall standing of 7-14. Despite their loss, the Lady Lions rallied from nine points down and managed to gain season-high 13-point field goals.

Before Saturday’s game took place, Moore sought out a strategic plan to defeat the Lady Wildcats.

“We plan to play with a lot more energy and a lot more intensity,” said Moore. “Then hopefully we won’t have a scoring drought and we will be able to score more baskets.”

Junior guard Erica Hernandez lead with 16 points among three fellow Lady Lions who managed to score in double figures. The three Lady Lions were senior guard Anessa De La Cruz with 13 points, junior guard Peaches Anderson with 11 points, senior guard Styles with six assists, two steals and 10 points. Senior guard Hoskins fell short of a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds. 

ACU had one single player to lead in double figures, netting 10-of-23 shots. The Lady Wildcats were able to gain a 39-30 rebounding advantage and amongst a single player hitting double figures, other team members rallied in their help of rebounds.

Nanna Pool made note of what could have went towards a greater improvement on Saturday against the Wildcats.

“We really need to improve and get better on our defense against the other teams,” said Pool.

The Lady Lions led with as many as 10 points in the opening half and traveled into break with a 47-41 advantage. 

In the second half, the Lady Lions made 29 percent (9-of-31) of their field goal attempts. Due to offensive struggles, ACU took advantage with a 71-62 lead and only 6:48 remaining in the game.

Styles three-pointer cut the lead to one with only 42 seconds left, which caused Southeastern to gradually hustle their way back into the game. Both teams traded empty possessions in the final seconds as Lady Lions gained one last try with six seconds left. With three seconds left, Pool managed to snag a rebound but unfortunately all hopes of a comeback by the Lady Lions was ended.

Southeastern will next travel to McNeese State for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday in Lake Charles. The game will be broadcasted live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and at lionsports.net.