A combination of poor shooting and great defense from Arkansas-Little Rock (22-3, 12-2 SBC) led to the Cajuns nine-game win streak to be snapped on Saturday by the score of 68-64.
After a slow start to the game for both teams, but the Cajuns had defensive miscues and the Trojans capitalized on it throughout the first half. Little Rock went on a 13-2 run at the end of the half, but the Cajuns managed to get a 3-point play at the buzzer after a Shawn Long putback to make it 38-27 at the half.
The Cajuns came out to start the second half with fire, going on a 13-7 run in the opening five minutes of the half. The Trojans however were able to keep the Cajuns at a distance throughout the second half. It was a combined effort from Steven Wronkoski and Johnathan Stove who combined for 21 of the team’s 37 points in the second half that led to a late rally to put the Cajuns within one in the closing minutes. But it was a story of too little too late after a missed jumper in the final seconds by Hayward Register
Stove led the Cajuns with 18 points and a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. The sophomore guard also had four boards on the afternoon. Long had 12 points, 12 boards, and three assists.
Josh Hagins led the Trojans with 18 points, two boards, and two assists on the day.
The Cajuns (14-9, 10-4 SBC) will be leaving the friendly confines of the Cajundome with a four-game road trip starting against UT-Arlington (16-7, 7-5 SBC) on Thursday with tipoff set for 7:15 pm.
-Clint Domingue