Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — The Lamar women’s basketball celebrated its Southland Conference regular-season championship Sunday evening with the fans who have helped the Cardinals post a school-record 28 consecutive home wins.

The Cardinals, who claimed sole ownership of the conference regular-season crown for the first time in program history with Saturday’s 81-72 win at McNeese State, held a net-cutting ceremony at the Montagne Center, allowing the LU faithful to be a part of the championship experience.

“Our fans are our sixth man,” LU coach Robin Harmony said. “The support they give us really makes a difference. I’m so happy that so many of them came out tonight to celebrate with us.”

Every player, coach and member of the team’s support staff had the opportunity to cut one of the nylon strands off the hoop to keep as a memento. Harmony cut the final strand, keeping a small piece for herself while draping the remaining portion of the net over the Southland Conference championship trophy.

“This is something we looked forward to, all the way back in October, preparing for a championship,” said fifth-year post player Kiandra Bowers, who was a member of the 2013-14 LU squad that shared the regular-season title. “This is great, but I want to win another championship next weekend in Katy.”

Bowers was referring to the Southland Conference Tournament that gets underway Thursday at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy. By virtue of their top seed, the Cardinals (22-6 overall, 17-1 Southland) have an automatic bye into the semifinals. LU’s first tourney game is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. The championship game is scheduled for noon Sunday.

“We’ve always had a large number of fans support us in Katy,” Harmony said. “We’re looking forward to that this year as well.”

Harmony can rest assured that the Cardinals will have that support, as fans waited in line to purchase tournament ticket booklets from representatives of the LU ticket office who were on hand for the event.

By winning the regular-season title, the Cardinals have guaranteed themselves of a spot in a national postseason tournament. Winning the Southland Conference Tournament would give LU a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Should the Cardinals not receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament, they are assured of a spot in the WNIT’s 64-team field.

“This is a special team,” said Moe Kinard, LU’s leading scorer. “I wouldn’t want to play with any other team. This is a special group.”

All LU postseason games will be carried on KLVI-AM 560. Saturday’s game will be shown on ESPN3. The championship game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

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Tickets: LamarCardinals.com and at Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy.