The # 12 seed Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team defeated the #13 seed Georgia State Panthers 84-75 on Tuesday night inside the Pensacola Bay Center. The win keeps Louisiana alive in the 2026 Sun Belt Basketball Championships and moves them into the second round of the tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with Louisiana grabbing the early advantage. They led 10-4 before Georgia State responded with a run of their own. The teams would trade the lead in the first half, with neither grabbing a double-digit advantage.
Jelani Hamilton led the charge for Georgia State. One of the leading scorers in the conference, he put up 16 in the opening half as the Panthers held a small lead throughout much of the second 10 minutes in the half. Off the bench, Karris Bilal gave Louisiana a spark, keeping them at arm’s length. At the half, Georgia State held a two-point lead at 38-36.
The Cajuns would seize control of the game in the early portion of the second half. A 13-0 run was triggered by Jaxon Olvera, giving the Cajuns an eight-point lead at 49-41.
They would work hard to keep that lead, and part of the reason was Hamilton getting into foul trouble. He had to sit much of the second half, and eventually fouled out with just four points in the second. He had 20 for the game, but the Panthers were without their leading scorer down the stretch.
Louisiana would never relinquish that lead, and Olvera was a big reason. He scored a game-high 29 points. His free throws down the stretch finished the deal, and the Cajuns held on 84-75.
BIG NUMBER: 35
Despite Georgia State’s ability to get to the free throw line, it was the Cajuns that took 35 free throws and made 26 of them. The Panthers only took 23, giving Louisiana an edge in that category.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jaxon Olvera
Olvera had 29 to lead all scorers. Additionally, he added nine rebounds. He made both three-point field goals and nine of his eleven free throws, pacing the Louisiana offense in the win.
UP NEXT: Louisiana stays alive and will face #9 seed James Madison tomorrow, March 4th at 5:00 PM.