The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team (6-16, 4-6 SBC) defeated the Georgia State Panthers (9-13, 6-4 SBC) 82-72 on Thursday night inside the Cajundome. The win for the Cajuns ends a four-game winning streak for the Panthers.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana started with the game’s first four points. Then, both teams began to trade buckets. The game was 10-10 after five minutes of play.
Trailing 12-11, Louisiana would make their first big run. They created a 16-4 stretch, capped by a Karris Bilal layup to give them a 27-16 advantage.
After a 30-20 advantage, the Cajuns went on their second run. This one was 9-0 capped by a Bilal three, and gave the home side a 39-20 advantage late in the first half.
At the expiration of the first half clock, the Cajuns would appear to hit a putback shot to go up 48-28. After review, it was ruled no basket and the UL halftime lead was 46-28.
An early surge in the second half and an 8-0 run gave UL a 56-28 lead. However, Georgia State would have an answer.
Leading scorer in the Sun Belt Jelani Hamilton triggered a 12-0 run that quickly got it back to a 56-40 game.
The Panthers would continue to cut into the lead, primarily at the free throw line. They got the Cajuns over the double-bonus foul limit with more than 10 minutes left in the game.
At the under eight minute timeout, the lead was only five at 65-60. The Panthers were 31-33 from the free throw line at this point, with the Cajuns being just 10-13.
Louisiana was able to weather the storm that the Panthers brought. They extended the lead back to 10 with under two minutes left.
Patient play down the stretch from Dorian Finister and De’Vion Lavergne allowed the Cajuns to stay in front. Those two combined for 41 points on the night, as Louisiana held on for the 82-72 win.
BIG NUMBER: 50
The Cajuns shot an impressive 50% from the field in this game, and 50% from three-point range as well. That helped build their lead and allowed them to weather the run that Georgia State put together in the second half.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: De’Vion Lavergne
Lavergne led the way with a career-high 23 points for the Cajuns. Additionally, he added a team-high seven assists and three rebounds.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will remain at home as they play host to Georgia Southern on Saturday, January 31st at 4:00 PM inside the Cajundome.