Our Lady of the Lake women’s basketball battled throughout the evening but came up short in a 78–61 loss to LSU Shreveport on Thursday night in Shreveport. Despite the final score, the Saints showed fight and composure against a physically aggressive opponent and remained competitive for much of the contest.
The Saints opened the game with confidence, moving the ball effectively and finding quality looks on the offensive end. Macie Moss set the tone early, attacking the defense and stretching the floor, while Alexandra Westerdijk Martin controlled the tempo with steady decision-making. Our Lady of the Lake matched LSU Shreveport possession for possession in the opening quarter and stayed within reach by playing disciplined basketball and limiting trips to the free-throw line for the hosts.
As LSU Shreveport increased defensive pressure, the Saints continued to respond with poise. Moss led all OLLU scorers with 19 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Westerdijk Martin followed with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Samantha Fields added 10 points, including two timely three-pointers, while Shayla Dede contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists while working relentlessly on both ends of the floor.
Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake competed hard against one of the top scorers in the conference. The Saints forced LSU Shreveport into contested shots and held them near the perimeter for long stretches. While turnovers proved costly at times, many came as a result of aggressive defense rather than lack of execution, and the Saints continued to fight through every possession.
Off the bench, Evangeline Hernandez provided an important spark, scoring five points in 14 minutes and adding energy when the Saints needed a lift. Amya Miller-Singleton contributed on the boards, helping OLLU battle in the paint against a larger lineup. Overall, the Saints shot an efficient 45.3 percent from the field and an impressive 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, reflecting strong offensive fundamentals.
Even as LSU Shreveport pulled ahead in the second half, Our Lady of the Lake never stopped competing, showing resilience and togetherness until the final buzzer. The Saints finished with 18 assists, a testament to their unselfish play and commitment to team basketball. While the result did not go their way, the performance highlighted the growth, effort, and determination of the OLLU program as it continues to build momentum moving forward. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Texas A&M-Texarkana.