The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball team got their second consecutive win, beating Texas State 59-52 inside the Cajundome on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Cajuns to 4-5 in Sun Belt play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After both teams connected on a couple of shots early, the rest of the first quarter became a slug fest. Neither team could get much going offensively, with the defenses creating turnovers with their pressure. Additionally, neither team could create much of an advantage, and the first quarter ended with the score tied at 11.
The second quarter saw much of the same, although both teams did pick things up on the offensive end towards the end of the half. The way that Louisiana was able to get offense was by forcing contact and earning it at the free throw line. Jaylyn James led Louisiana with nine first half points and she did so by going 5-7 at the free throw line. Julia Coleman hit a circus shot at the first half buzzer to pull Texas State two points ahead at the break, with the score being 26-24.
Neither team could get separation into the second half, as the lead changed hands several more times. Louisiana did surge out to their largest lead at five with just over a minute to play in the quarter. However, the Bobcats closed the period on a 5-0 run to bring us to our fourth quarter even at 35.
The Cajuns have been outscored in the fourth quarter as a team this year, but they ensured that would not happen today. A 7-0 run near the midpoint of the final period gave Louisiana a 46-37 lead at the final media timeout. Down the stretch, the Cajuns took care of the ball and made their free throws. Those two things were critical, and they held on for the win. James once again led them in scoring with 18.
BIG NUMBER: 21
Louisiana forced Texas State to commit 21 turnovers in this game, leading to 24 points on the other end. That helped the Cajuns secure the victory.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jaylyn James
Jaylyn continues to blossom into a scoring force for Louisiana. She led them in scoring again with 18 points, and also led the team in rebounding with seven boards.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will hit the road again next week, staring with a game on Thursday, February 1st against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.