The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns met up with the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. The Cajuns struggled all game to find a rhythm as Arkansas State dominated Louisiana 89-62.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first four minutes of the contest were a back-and-forth affair with the Cajuns holding a 12-8 lead, shooting 5-7 from the field. Freshman guard Brandon Hardy had six of the 12 points for Louisiana.
With 11:13 remaining, Arkansas State outscored Louisiana 15-4 to take a 23-16 lead. During that stretch, the Cajuns made just one of their previous seven shots.
At the under-eight media timeout, the lead had grown to 11 points at 31-20 with 7:29 left in the first half. Arkansas State continued to shoot the ball well and keep the Cajuns out of any kind of offensive rhythm. Derrian Ford led the Red Wolves with 12 points.
At the final media timeout of the first half, Louisiana made the gap slightly closer with a 41-32 score with 2:28 left. Louisiana shot 48% from the field to this point.
At the halftime break. the Red Wolves closed the half on a 12-1 run to have a 48-33 lead at the break, holding the Cajuns scoreless through the final four minutes of the half.
Louisiana got some offense back to start the second half, but Arkansas State continued to get what they wanted on their offensive end, going back and forth with a 15-13 score sheet for the first seven minutes of the second half. With 11:32 remaining, the Red Wolves had a 63-46 lead.
At the final media timeout, Arkansas State continued to pour it on the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, outscoring them 17-12 to hold an 80-58 lead with 3:37 left. Freddy Hicks led all scorers with 23 points.
Arkansas State closed out the Ragin Cajuns and advanced to the semifinals with an 89-62 win on Saturday.
BIG NUMBER: +17
Arkansas State outrebounded the Cajuns 43-26 to help run away from Louisiana and advance to the semifinals.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Freddy Hicks
Hicks had his way today, scoring a game-high 23 points on 8-14 shooting. He also added 7 rebounds, a pair of blocks, and two steals.