Louisana put their seven-game win streak on the line when they welcomed Georgia State to the Cajundome. Kobe Julien had 27 to put him over 1,000 for his career, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Panthers took down the Cajuns 78-69.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana started the game playing good defense and converting at the other end, holding a 14-4 lead at the 15:02 mark of the first half. Cajuns went on an 11-1 run after it being tied at three as Joe Charles led the way with six followed by four from both Themus Fulks and Kobe Julien.
The next stretch was very low scoring for both teams as a combined seven points were added to the tally between both teams. With 11:53 remaining, Louisiana led 18-7 and Kobe Julien was up to eight points, 12 away from 1,000 for his career.
At the next media timeout with 7:58 remaining, Louisiana led 25-14 over the Panthers of Georgia State. Julien continued to be the leading scorer with eight and Hosana Kitenge was in early foul trouble with two.
At the final media timeout with 3:14 to go in the first half, Julien was up to 16 points and just four away from 1,000. Louisiana had a 33-26 lead over the Panthers of Georgia State shooting 39% from downtown in the first half.
Kobe Julien knocked in a pair of free throws with less than five seconds left in the half to put him at 1,000 points for his career, becoming just the 52nd player in school history to reach the milestone. Louisiana led 39-30 at the half.
It was a back-and-forth affair during the first five minutes of the second half with the Cajuns getting edged 10-9 by Georgia State, but Louisiana still held a 48-40 lead with 15:01 left in the game. The newest member of the 1000-point club, Kobe Julien, led all scorers with 20.
Georgia State went on a 7-0 run to cap off the next stretch and trailed by just three at the under-12 media timeout with 11:17 remaining. Louisiana went 2:21 without a basket during that run and the Panthers took advantage.
The Panthers went on another big run, scoring 10 straight points to take their first lead of the night at 62-59 with 7:37 left in the game. Toneari Lane led the way for them with 13 to this point in the game.
At the final media timeout with 3:55 to go, Louisiana trailed Georgia State 66-64. This is the latest in a game during the current seven-game win streak that the Cajuns have been behind in a game.
Louisiana couldn’t find the points late to overcome Georgia State as the seven-game win streak came to an end tonight with a 78-69 final score.
BIG NUMBER: 1000
Kobe Julien had another outstanding performance with 27 points, eclipsing 1,000 career points in the losing effort. The Baton Rouge native became just the 52nd player in program history to achieve this milestone.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kobe Julien
Julien was nothing short of incredible tonight for the Cajuns, scoring 27 points to eclipse 1,000 for his career. However, his effort wouldn’t be enough for Louisiana to overcome Georgia State.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will host Bowling Green in the second leg of the Sun Belt-MAC Challenge. Tip-off inside the Cajundome is at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.