2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball team

2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball
2023–24 Lamar Lady Cardinals basketball
Southland Conference regular season champions
WBIT, First Round
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	24–7 (17–1 SLC)
Head coach	Aqua Franklin (5th season);
Assistant coaches	Bianca Smith (3rd season); Raymond Patche (2nd season); Omar Sneed (2nd season);
Home arena	Montagne Center; (Capacity: 10,080)
	Seasons ← 2022–23 2024–25 →

For information on all Lamar University sports, see Lamar Cardinals and Lady Cardinals

2023–24 Southland Conference women's basketball standings
v t e	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

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

Previous season

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

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

Incoming transfers

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

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

Southland Conference Poll

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

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

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

Aqua Franklin (Texas A&M)

Assistant coach(es)

6

Bianca Smith (Colorado)
Raymond Patche (Arizona State)
Omar Sneed (San Jacinto/Memphis)

Legend

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

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: October 25, 2023

Schedule

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

Weekly awards

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]

References

^ 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.
^ "Lamar Cardinals Schedule 2022-23". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b James Dixon (May 1, 2023). "Four Incoming Cardinals Set To Join 2023-24 Squad". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Southeastern Chosen as Preseason Women's Basketball Favorite; Preseason All-Conference Announced". Southland Conference. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Kenneth Cline (October 10, 2023). "Cards Place Third in Preseason Polls; Davis & Dean Named Preseason All-Conference". Retrieved October 23, 2023.
^ "2023-24 Women's Basketball Schedule". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ "Lamar Cardinals Schedule 2023-24". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ Callum Squires (November 13, 2023). "Lamar's Sabria Dean wins opening SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week award". Retrieved November 23, 2023.
^ 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.
^ James Hill (December 18, 2023). "Lamar's Davis Named Southland Women's Basketball Player of the Week". Retrieved December 18, 2023.
^ Callum Squires (January 8, 2024). "Sabria Dean wins her third SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week Award". Retrieved January 9, 2024.
^ 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.
^ Callum Squires (January 29, 2024). "Davis repeats as SLC Women's Basketball Player of the Week". Retrieved January 30, 2024.
^ 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.

[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.

[Incoming-4] James Dixon (May 1, 2023). "Four Incoming Cardinals Set To Join 2023-24 Squad". Lamar University Athletics. Retrieved November 20, 2023.

[PrePolls-5] "Southeastern Chosen as Preseason Women's Basketball Favorite; Preseason All-Conference Announced". Southland Conference. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.

[PrePolls2-6] 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.

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