Even with another stellar performance by JaKeenan Gant, it just wasn’t enough on Saturday afternoon as the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (11-7, 2-3 Sun Belt) fell to the UL Monroe Warhawks (10-7, 3-2) by the score of 99-95.
How It Happened:
The Warhawks started out strong with a 13-4 run before the first media timeout thanks to some solid shooting by Andre Washington. The lead quickly ballooned up to 17 points with 10:17 left in the first half and it continued to become an even bigger lead. However, the Cajuns answered the bell late in the first half and managed to make it a 14-point lead at the break.
It continued to be all UL Monroe thanks to their strong start in the first half, but the Cajuns started to chop away at the large deficit they faced and made it a manageable six points with 12:31 left in regulation. However, it was too little too late as the Cajuns couldn’t complete the late rally after Daishon Smith drained a pair of free throws to make it a five-point lead with eight seconds left
Big Number; 14
UL Monroe made the most of their opportunities on Saturday afternoon, especially when it came to second chance points with 14 of their 99 points coming off second opportunities. That’s made even more impressive when you notice that the Cajuns had more offensive boards than the Warhawks.
Player of the Game: JaKeenan Gant
Gant has been playing like a man possessed as of late and he had another great performance with 31 points and 10 boards in a losing effort. It wasn’t like he was the only one putting up points as PJ Hardy lit up from three-point range, going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Next Up: Thursday vs South Alabama; Tipoff at 7 pm
-Clint Domingue