The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (19-12, 10-8 Sun Belt) needed a win on Saturday in the worst way to improve their lot in life when it comes to positioning in the Men’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament next week in New Orleans. The only thing standing in their way were Ty Cockfield and the Arkansas State Red Wolves (13-18, 7-11 Sun Belt). It was an absolute battle in Jonesboro, but the Cajuns were able to come away with a 90-87 win in overtime to lock down the #5 seed in the conference tournament.
How It Happened:
The Cajuns fired out of the gates strong, going on a 7-0 run capped off by a three-pointer by Justin Miller. Arkansas State tied things late in the first half, but the Cajuns finished strong with a 10-2 run to head into the locker room with a 42-34 lead.
That momentum from the end of the first half carried into the beginning of the second half, stretching their lead out to 13 points at the first media timeout. However, Cockfield started to get things going for the Red Wolves with 28 of his 35 points coming in the second half and a clutch three with 17 seconds left wound up knotting things up at 84 points.
Louisiana took control of the ballgame once again in the overtime period, going on a 5-0 run in the first two and a half minutes. Arkansas State responded with a huge three-point play by Cockfield, but that was the only bucket that they made in overtime, meaning the Cajuns were able to come away with the win after that.
Big Number: 8
The Ragin Cajuns didn’t have too many costly mistakes in the win, with only eight turnovers. It’s made even more significant when you realize that the Cajuns average about 13 turnovers a game.
Player of the Game: JaKeenan Gant
Gant wound up jamming his finger early in the contest, but he was able to return and had an outstanding performance with 25 points, nine boards, and four blocks to help the Cajuns secure a win
Next Up: Thursday Winner of South Alabama-Arkansas State; Tipoff at 5 pm
-Clint Domingue