Saints Women End Season in Loss to LSU-Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, LA. (March 1, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's basketball team lost a low-scoring game against LSU-Alexandria (LSUA) 61-45 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament Quarterfinals. The Saints were the No. 6 seed, and the Generals were No. 3. The Saints finish the season at 10-18 overall and 9-13 in the RRAC.

Head Coach Tanya Ray commented, "We faced a lot of adversity this year in the fact that we kept losing players throughout the season. It seemed like we were having to work a new rotation every few weeks. We were able to make it to the postseason despite everything. I'm super proud of the group we had that were able to finish this year, especially our seniors Tiffany Lopez, Cormia Lewis, Ariadna Gallardo and Carrie Barrera-Lacy."

History

The Saints were 13-4 against the Generals prior to the game.

Basics

Both teams struggled shooting from the field in the first quarter. The Saints marked 30.8 percent shooting while the Generals went 35.3 percent from field goal range. OLLU's shooting accuracy was on display in the second quarter. They shot 57.1 percent from the field and downed all seven free throws. The Generals matched OLLU's 16 points in the frame and took a nine-point lead into halftime. Ariadna Gallardo had 12 points at the break.

The Generals maintained their lead in the third quarter backed by 50 percent shooting. The Saints struggled in the third quarter by hitting 4-of-14 field goals and 1-of-5 three-pointers. The Generals defense limited the Saints to eight points in the fourth quarter and were victorious 61-45. The Saints season ended after the loss to LSUA.

Offensive/defensive standouts

Gallardo led the Saints with 16 points. Tiffany Lopez had 10 rebounds and added 10 points for a double-double. Lopez finishes her Saints career with 1,028 points. She also set the single-season blocks record with 80 this year. Gallardo and Cormia Lewis tallied two assists apiece for the Saints.

Dannah Martin-Hartwick led LSUA with 16 points. Benedetta Peracchi grabbed 11 rebounds. Amani Gray led the Generals with three assists.

Inside the box

OLLU combined for 16-of-44 shooting for 36.4 percent, 4-of-13 from three-point range for 30.8 percent and 9-of-13 from the free-throw line for 69.2 percent. LSUA shot 20-of-59 for 33.9 percent, 5-of-19 three pointers for 26.3 percent and 16-of-21 from the free-throw line for 76.2 percent.

OLLU grabbed 27 rebounds while the Generals collected 40. The Saints committed 22 turnovers and forced 17.