When it comes to these win or go home games, it’s usually the team that is the hottest that comes away with the win in the first couple of rounds.
When you look at the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns in 2017, here is no team in the Sun Belt Conference that is hotter as they headed into Sun Belt Tournament on a six game win streak. That hot streak continued as the Cajuns overcame poor shooting from three-point range in the first half to take down Little Rock for the third time this season 78-71.
The first half was back and forth between the Trojans and the Cajuns with both teams not giving an inch as the biggest lead would be five points with 12:15 left until halftime. Both teams were making shots as the first half came to a close, but the Trojans were able to head into the locker room at the half with a one point lead.
The biggest reason why it was so competitive in the first half was because of the Cajuns inability to shoot from beyond the arc, only making one of their ten shots in the first twenty minutes. The Cajuns were able to calm down and shot less from the arc, and were able to be successful in the second half.
Another key to victory for the Cajuns came thanks in part to the Trojans getting in foul trouble more in the second half 17 personal fouls in comparison to eight in the first half. Having that happen was a catalyst of what propelled the Cajuns to their seventh straight win and the third victory over Little Rock this season.
The Cajuns will next take on Georgia State on Friday with tipoff scheduled for 5 pm.
By the Numbers:
24: Number of points for Jay Wright. The senior has been on an absolute tear at this point of the season and ended up with two boards, one assist, one block, and two steals.
84: Cajuns free throw percentage in the victory. In tightly contested games, the battle behind the charity stripe is crucial. The were able to edge the Trojans out in free throw percentage and took more than double the shots.
-Clint Domingue