Box Score

 

HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana senior guards Amber Crenshaw and Jessica Sommers combined for seven of the Lady Lions' season-high nine three-point field goals, but Florida A&M countered with an efficient offensive performance to defeat Southeastern, 85-63, on the final day of the Southeastern Christmas Classic Saturday night at the University Center.
 
Despite the hot-shooting of Sommers and Crenshaw, Southeastern fell to 4-7 overall with its third straight loss. The Lady Rattlers (5-5) shot 52.5 percent (32-for-61) to win its second straight contest.
 
Sommers led Southeastern with a career-high 14 points, after hitting four three-pointers in the contest. Crenshaw added 10 points after hitting three attempts from behind the arc.
 
Senior guards Latoria Holder and Kelli Jenkins hit the other treys for the Lady Lions. Holder led Southeastern with three steals, while Jenkins dished out a game-high six assists.
 
For the second straight game, Southeastern junior forward Aja Gibson posted a double-double. The Somerville, Tenn. native netted 12 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
Despite the efforts of Gibson, FAMU held a dominant 50-35 advantage on the boards. The Lady Rattlers also featured a balanced offensive attack, as sophomore guard Kimberly Sparkman put in a game-high 23 points to lead four players in double figures.
 
Senior post Qiana Donald (17 points), senior guard Tameka McKelton (15 points) and junior guard Keturah Martin (10 points) were the other top scorers for FAMU, who also got nine points apiece from senior forward Antonia Bennett and freshman wing Jaleesa Blue. Blue led FAMU with 10 rebounds, while Donald grabbed nine.
 
Southeastern took an early 12-5 lead on a Gibson layup with 16:47 left. FAMU answered with a 10-0 run to take the lead for good and outscored the Lady Lions 39-12 the rest of the half to take a 44-24 lead into the break.
 
The lead was still 23 with 7:07 remaining, before Southeastern put up a furious rally. A three by Sommers with 3:29 left capped an 18-6 run and pulled the Lady Lions within 72-61 with 3:29 remaining.
 
That was as close as Southeastern would get, however. Florida A&M closed out the game with a 13-2 run to preserve the victory.
 
Southeastern will be on a break for Christmas and will not return to action until Dec. 29, when it travels to face Ole Miss at 7 p.m. in Oxford, Miss. That contest will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
 
2011-12 Southeastern Christmas Classic
 
Friday, December 16
Florida A&M 77, Northwestern State 53
Alcorn State 62, Southeastern Louisiana 54
 
Saturday, December 17
Alcorn State 70, Northwestern State 60
Florida A&M 85, Southeastern Louisiana 63