The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns’ men’s basketball team defeated the UL Monroe Warhawks 73-69 on Tuesday night in Pensacola in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The win keeps the Cajuns season alive for at least one more night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Both teams struggled out of the gate in this win-or-go-home game in the Pensacola Bay Center. Five minutes into the game, each team only had five points.
At that point, both teams started to find their footing offensively, and the lead went back and forth. Neither team found a lead of more than four points throughout the first half.
For the Warhawks, it was a surprising half from AD Diedhiou, who averages just less than three points per game but had eight at the break. The Cajuns were led by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, who had nine at the half. The Cajuns led 26-24.
Both offenses started to find more success in the second half, yet the game remained close throughout. It was not until right past the 12 minute mark that the Cajuns finally took a lead of more than five, going up 46-40. However, ULM immediately answered back and stayed close.
Despite the game staying close, the Cajuns led for the entirety of the second half until inside of four minutes left. The Warhawks got the lead down to one at 54-53, but Michael Thomas answered with a three to record a new season-high in scoring with 18.
As the teams went back and forth, ULM again hit a three to answer. They were within two, and they took their first lead of the second half when Coltie Young made a three with just less than 90 seconds to play. That made it 59-58 in favor of the Warhawks.
The lead was only beginning to exchange hands, as back-to-back dunks helped each team take back control. Then, Thomas hit another big three to give the Cajuns a 63-61 lead with 41 seconds left to play.
Tyrese Watson made two free throws to tie the game, meaning the Cajuns had a chance to win it in regulation. Their game-winning attempt was off, leading to overtime.
Both teams had a slow start to overtime, but things picked up inside of two minutes left. El Moutaouakkil got to his career high with a bucket to take the lead. The teams traded threes, and the Cajuns got possession with a two-point lead. A surprising shot-clock violation call gave ULM a chance to tie or win the game. However, the Cajuns earned the stop and held on to win.
BIG NUMBER: 49
The Cajuns got 49 combined points from El Moutaouakkil and Thomas in this game. That accounted for more than half of their scoring.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mostapha El Moutaouakkil & Michael Thomas
They both set career-highs in this game, so it felt right to honor them both. Their scoring efforts helped the Cajuns extend their season.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will advance to play Old Dominion tomorrow night at 7:30 PM in the Pensacola Bay Center.