LAFAYETTE – The University of Louisiana men’s basketball team was able to overcome a four-point halftime deficit to take down the University of New Orleans 73-63 at the Cajundome.
With the win, the Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 5-1 on the season and it was also the second win over the Privateers this season.
How It Happened:
After a back-and-forth first four minutes of the game, the Ragin’ Cajuns appeared to have taken control with a fast break layup off a turnover by Cedric Russell and then followed by a fast break layup by Mylik Wilson. With 14:38 left in the first period, UL held a 10-6 lead.
UNO would not go away as the Privateers went on a 6-0 run capped by a layup by Troy Green. UL reclaimed the lead with a three-pointer by Jacobi Gordon. The Ragin’ Cajuns would push the lead back up to five points two more times in the next few minutes but the Privateers always responded.
After Gordon hit a three-pointer to make it 25-20 in favor of the UL with 6:41 to play, UNO responded by outscoring UL 15-6 the final six-plus minutes.
At the break, the Privateers led 35-31.
The second half started with UL quickly tying the game with Theo Akuwba making a pair of free throws and Russell hitting a mid-range jumper. The two teams went back and forth for awhile until UL began to take control.
With the game tied 52-52, Russel made a jumper and then moments later made a free throw to make it 55-52 with 7:48 left. UNO’s Green hit a layup but UL answered with a jumper by Wilson.
After a single free throw by each team, the Ragin’ Cajuns extended its lead to seven points with a jumper by Russell and a layup by Duo Gueye.
With 3:51 left in the game, UL held a 62-55 lead and never looked back as the Ragin’ Cajuns picked up their fifth win of the season.
Big Number: 28
The Ragin’ Cajuns captilized on Privateer mistakes as the team scored a total of 28 points off of tunovers in Tuesday night’s win.
Players of the Game: Cedric Russell & Theo Akwuba
Russell led all scorers with 20 points with 14 of those coming in the second half. Akwuba meanwhile posted a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Akwuba also had a game-high seven blocks.
Up Next: UL (5-1) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts I-10 rival McNeese State to the Cajundome. Tip is set for 7 p.m.