It took almost 30 minutes for the Ragin Cajuns to take the lead on Thursday night against Arkansas State (11-13, 7-6 SBC), but that’s all the time they needed to come away with their ninth straight win by the score of 83-73.
The Cajuns and the Red Wolves went back and forth throughout the first half, but Arkansas State kept the game in control throughout. The Cajuns were able to cut away at the lead late with a 6-3 run to make it 42-39 at the half.
The Red Wolves started out the second half strong with a 8-2 run, but the Cajuns got things going from the arc after a slow first half. The Cajuns went 2-for-11 from three point range in the first half but turned it around, going 7-12 from the arc. Because of the improved shooting, the Cajuns were able to finally take the lead with around 10 minutes left in regulation. But the Red Wolves were able to tie it up with an 8-0 run with four minutes left. The Cajuns were able to hold onto the lead with a 10-2 run late and that was the deciding factor to keep the Cajuns perfect at home and the win streak alive.
Shawn Long led the Cajuns with 17 points, 15 boards, three assists, and three blocks on the night. Kasey Shepherd was the sharpshooter on this team once again, going 4-for-6 from the arc. The senior guard also had 16 points, two boards, and two assists.
Dure Frederic led the Red Wolves with 21 points, five boards, five assists, and one steal on the night.
The Cajuns (14-8, 10-3 SBC) will try to make an even 10 in a row on Saturday in the Cajundome against Arkansas-Little Rock (21-3, 11-2 SBC) with tipoff set for 4:15 pm.
-Clint Domingue