The Ragin Cajuns continued their roll in conference play with an 87-76 win over Appalachian State (6-16, 4-7 Sun Belt).
The first half started out on a sour note for the Cajuns, not scoring until about three minutes in. Appalachian State took advantage of this and gained a small lead, but the Ragin Cajuns were able to get the lead with an 11-5 run midway through the first half. The Cajuns continued to dominate in the first half, at one point being up by as much as 19, and headed into the locker room at halftime with a 52-35 lead. The 52 points for the Cajuns is the most points scored in a single half since the McNeese State game back in December.
The Cajuns kept pouring on the lead early on in the second half, but Appalachian State were able to hang around with an 11-4 run late in the game, but the Cajuns big first half surge was enough to keep the Mountaineers out of reach and give the Cajuns their eighth straight win.
Shawn Long led the Cajuns with 19 points, 10 boards, one assist, and one block on the night. Bryce Washington was right behind the senior with 14 points, nine boards, one block, and one steal on the night.
Ronshad Shabazz led the Mountaineers with 18 points, five boards, one assist, and two steals on the night.
The Cajuns (13-8, 9-3 SBC) will have a whole week off before their next game inside the friendly confines of the Cajundome when they take on Arkansas State (10-11, 6-4 SBC) with tipoff scheduled for 7:15 pm. When the Cajuns and the Red Wolves last faced off, Arkansas State was able to come away with a late three-point play to come away with a 71-69 win. This was the last loss before the current eight-game win streak.
-Clint Domingue