The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball team saw their season end with a 64-54 loss to the James Madison Dukes on Sunday afternoon at the Pensacola Bay Center in thee Sun Belt Tournament semi finals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
James Madison entered this game as the 3rd seed and the defending champions of the Sun Belt Tournament. They came out firing, and a trio of made three-point baskets made it 9-0 before everyone had settled into their seats. Louisiana would respond, creating a 6-2 run of their own to make it 11-6. Before the end of the quarter, the Dukes were able to stretch the lead back to eight and led 19-11.
The second quarter was back-and-forth the whole way. The Cajuns were able to get the lead down to one, but never take the lead.
Just like in the first quarter, the Dukes always seemed to have an answer. Kseniia Kozlova made an impact on the inside, and Uniyah Franklin had to sit much of the half with foul trouble. By the intermission, JMU led 33-25.
In the second half, again Louisiana tried to chip into the lead. Their struggles from behind the arc continued, as Louisiana only shot 16 percent from deep in the game. Several times the lead was cut to one, but the Cajuns could never quite get over the hump and take the lead. A Wilnie Joseph free throw cut it to 44-41 late in the quarter, but JMU got the final three of the quarter to enter the fourth up by six.
In the fourth, again Louisiana just struggled to hit outside shots. They were also outrebounded significantly, and JMU had 17 second chance points. Those were costly, but the Cajuns found themselves within four after two Brandi Williams free throws with 1:23 to play. After that, however, JMU would not allow another point, and ended the game on a 6-0 run to win 64-54.
The loss ended the Cajuns’ season with a record of 17-14. Destiny Rice led Louisiana with 13 points in the final game of her Cajuns’ career.
BIG NUMBER: 3
Louisiana made just three of 19 from downtown. Their struggles out there significantly hindered their offensive abilities.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Peyton McDaniel
The second team All-SBC selection was a force with 13 points and four rebounds. She powered JMU back to the SBC Championship for the second straight year.