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The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns women’s basketball team got off to a strong start in the 2023-2024 season, picking up a win over Spring Hill College inside the Cajundome on Monday night. Garry Brodhead’s team got 15 points from Tamera Johnson to lead the way while shooting 43% from the field en route to a 75-45 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana came out in the opening quarter scoring early and often, shooting 6-8 from the field including five straight makes heading into the media timeout leading 13-6 with 4:49 remaining in the opening frame. Destiny Rice led all scorers with five at this point while Brandi Williams got on the stat sheet for the first time in nearly two seasons.
The Cajuns continued to pour it on in the second run of the first quarter, scoring nine straight points to end the quarter with a 22-6 lead over the Badgers of Spring Hill. For the quarter, Louisiana shot 56.3% from the field including 50% from beyond the arc.
Spring Hill added to their total to open the second quarter, but they couldn’t control the Cajuns’ offense as it was 31-14 at the media timeout with 4:57 left in the first half. Tamera Johnson had six points for Louisiana at this point but also had two fouls. For the Badgers, Marta Duda led the way with six as well.
Louisiana took a 20-point lead into the locker room at halftime, shooting 48.5% from the field and 25% from three-point range. Johnson continued to lead the Cajuns with eight points.
The third quarter was a strong showing from Mariah Stewart, who had six points in the frame, but seven points from Johnson kept her out in front with 15 in the game. Louisiana outscored the Badgers 18-13 in the quarter to hold a 58-33 advantage with just one quarter to play.
At the final media timeout, Louisiana pulled further and further away from Spring Hill with a 17-6 run to make the score 75-39 with 1:14 remaining in the game. Spring Hill would add six points in the final minute, making it a 30 point victory for the Vermilion and White, 75-45.
BIG NUMBER: 42
Louisiana dominated in the paint against Spring Hill, outscoring the Badgers 42-14 in the lane in the season opener tonight.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tamera Johnson
Johnson picked up where she left off last season, scoring 15 points on 6-9 shooting to go along with nine rebounds in the contest.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will travel to the Plains on Thursday night to battle with Auburn. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.