The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns used hot shooting and sound defense to defeat the Rice Owls 84-67 on the road inside the Tudor Fieldhouse on Friday night. Joe Charles set a new career high for rebounds as the Cajuns won their final non-conference test of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana came out of the gate hot, hitting four of their first five three-point attempts. A quick 8-0 run allowed them to establish an early lead. By the first media timeout, the Cajuns had stretched it out to 17-5.
The hot start would continue, as Louisiana shot the ball well consistently in the first half. A Brandon Hardy layup made it 30-13 as the Cajuns created their biggest lead of the contest to that point. With 2:01 left in the half, it was 38-21 with the Cajuns defense keeping up the intensity. The halftime lead was 40-26.
Rice came out of the locker room hot, connecting on a couple of outside shots to get back into it. With 16:32 left, Keanu Dawes hit two free throws to cut the Cajuns’ lead to six at 48-42. However, Louisiana would respond with a 9-0 run to make it 57-42 and get it back to a comfortable lead.
The Cajuns would control the lead near double figures throughout the half. The Owls did make one last run at things inside of four minutes left. After a couple of made shots, Max Fiedler worked his way to the line, and made two free throws to make it 75-67. However, Blake Butler and Themus Fulks nailed their free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
BIG NUMBER: 16
Joe Charles was all over the floor, securing a double-double and a career high in rebounds with 16. He led the way for a big Louisiana win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Joe Charles
Joe not only had 11 points and 16 rebounds, but he also had four steals and three blocks. He truly did it all for the Cajuns in this one.
UP NEXT: The Cajuns will have a Christmas break before beginning Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, December 30th against Marshall on the road.