Louisiana started their Thanksgiving week road trip playing an old friend in Rob Lanier and his SMU Mustangs. This contest was a back-and-forth affair for most of the night, but Jordan Brown’s 26 points were too much for the Mustangs as Louisiana defeated SMU 76-72 in overtime.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana and SMU spent the opening 4:48 trading baskets, to the tune of the Mustangs leading 7-6 at the 15:12 mark when a media timeout was called. Jordan Brown led the way for the Cajuns with four points.
SMU hit three straight field goals to end the next frame with a 16-14 lead, still going back and forth with the Cajuns. Both teams were shooting 40% from beyond the arc at this point, with Greg Williams Jr leading all scorers with five.
Louisiana went on a big run in the next few minutes, outscoring SMU 13-3 to make a 24-19 lead with 7:17 left in the first half. The Cajuns made four of the last five shots leading into this media timeout. Jordan Brown was up to 10 points for the Vermilion and White at this point.
The Mustangs roared back to take a 29-28 lead with four minutes remaining in the first half. SMU had hit five straight field goals and Zhuric Phelps led the Mustangs with six points.
SMU held a 34-30 advantage at the half while shooting 50% from the field. Early in the second half, SMU extended that advantage to 45-37 at the first media timeout.
However, over the next eight minutes, Louisiana would outscore SMU 15-8 to tie the game at 53 a piece with Williams and Jalen Dalcourt each scoring five points in the run.
Greg Williams continued his shooting success along with interior dominance by Jordan Brown to put Louisiana within one at 60-59 with 4:22 remaining.
In the final minutes, Louisiana and SMU continued the trend of trading baskets. However, with 24.3 seconds remaining, Zuric Phelps got a traditional three-point play to tie it at 67-67. SMU was able to stay in the contest even with missing their free throws down the backstretch.
The final seconds would tick away with no points scored and the Cajuns and Mustangs went into overtime. In the extra period, SMU jumped out to a 72-69 lead on a big three by Zach Nutall. Williams came back for the Cajuns and knocked down a jumper from the elbow after a series of Louisiana misses and offensive rebounds to make it 72-71 with a minute left.
A big defensive stop led to Jordan Brown getting fouled at the other end for a one&one. Brown made both free throws to give the Cajuns the lead and another big defensive stop led to a jump ball and a possession arrow in the Cajuns’ favor.
Louisiana held on in the closing seconds to overcome SMU in overtime, 76-72. Jordan Brown led all scorers with 26 points and eight rebounds.
BIG NUMBER: 8
Louisiana registered eight blocks in the contest, with the defense being a major factor down the stretch into overtime for the Cajuns to come away with the win
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Greg Williams Jr
Williams may not have had the best stat line, but 11 of his 19 points came in the second half at the most necessary time in the game. He also had nine rebounds and made big defensive stops in the second half.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will stay on the road to play Drake this Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from the Knapp Center.