LAFAYETTE — With five players scoring in double figures, the University of Louisiana men’s basketball team improved to 3-1 overall with a 90-75 victory Tuesday night over LSUA.
How It Happened:
The Ragin’ Cajuns started off the game by draining back-to-back three-pointers by Mylik Wilson and Dou Geuye. The Generals got on the board with a floater by Jalen Perkins but the Ragin’ Cajuns answered as Cedric Russell drove to the basket and laid the ball softly off the glass for a two-point bucket.
LSUA’s Casey Smith hit his first three-pointer of the night to cut the lead down to 8-5. UL’s Geuye had a rebound and putback bucket but LSUA’s Perkins hit a jumper to make it a three-point game.
By the time Devin Butts drained a three-pointer with 10:19 left, the Ragin’ Cajuns had extended its lead 30-14.
LSUA cut the lead down to six after a Joe Lewis free throw with 6:15 left in the half. UL answered with back-to-back threes by Russell and Kentrell Garnett.
The Ragin’ Cajuns closed out the final 2:22 of the first half on a 13-5 run, punctuated by a Wilson dunk with 14 seconds left. At the break, the Ragin’ Cajuns led 51-35.
Despite some stretches of sloppy play, that double-digit was never really threatened in the second half as the Ragin’ Cajuns crusied to a 15-point victory.
Big Number: 67
The Ragin’ Cajuns crashed the boards all night long as the team pulled down 67 rebounds in the contest, while the Generals had only 35 in the game. The Ragin’ Cajuns had three players with at least 10 rebounds, with Dou Gueye leading the way with 17 rebounds, followed by Theo Akwuba with 12 and Isaiah Richards added 10.
Players of the Game: Devin Butts & Dou Gueye
Butts caught fire in early on as the sophomore scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half, including shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Gueye meanwhile recorded double-double with 15 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
Up Next: UL (3-1) returns to action on Saturday when its hosts Louisiana Tech at the Cajundome. Tip is set for 6 p.m.