After an early back-and-forth, the Cajuns went on an 8-0 run late in the first quarter to take a nine-point lead. The Mavs hung around for much of the second quarter, tying things up twice early on thanks to some poor shooting from the Cajuns. Even with only scoring nine points in the quarter, they were still able to hold a two-point lead as both teams headed into the locker room.
The second half was more of the same with the Cajuns unable to keep UT Arlington at a distance. Troi Swain was able to get them out to a six-point lead with 2:18 left, but the Mavs made it a two-point ballgame headed into the final quarter thanks to a 6-2 run. Louisiana officially put the game out of reach in the final moments when Troi Swain drained a pair of free throws.
The Cajuns will take on Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference semifinals on Saturday with tipoff set for 7:30 pm.
-Clint Domingue