The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun men’s basketball team opened their home weekend series against Arkansas State with an 81-68 win.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have not swept an opponent this season, but they are on track with another conference win.
Louisiana is 10-4 overall for the season and 4-3 in Sun Belt Conference play behind big nights from Cedric Russell and Theo Awkuba.
How It Happened:
It was an offensive struggle for both teams to start the game.
Ragin’ Cajun forward Theo Akwuba opened the scoring with a hook shot jumper.
The Red Wolves led Louisiana 8-6 going into the first media timeout with 15:01 left in the first half.
Louisiana’s Mylik Wilson gave his team a 10-8 lead with 12:28 left in the first.
Arkansas State responded and took a 15-12 lead behind two made free throws from Keyon Wesley.
Both teams combined for seven total turnovers in the first 10 minutes of play.
The Red Wolves led 19-17 with 7:36 remaining gin the first half. The teams were a combined 2-of-12 from the 3-point line at this point.
Louisiana’s scoring drought continued as Arkansas State led 21-17 with 5:05 left in the half.
Akwuba broke the drought with a spin move hook shot as Louisiana still trailed 23-21. It was the only field goal for the Ragin’ Cajuns in their last 11 attempts. Arkansas State led 25-21 with 2:43 remaining in the opening half.
Arkansas State led Louisiana 31-27 at halftime.
The Ragin’ Cajuns shot 1-of-12 from three and recorded six turnovers with only six assists.
Akwuka shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the field for his eight points and four rebounds. Cedric Russell led both team with nine points at the half.
Russell opened the second half with a baseline jumper to cut the deficit to two points. He tied the game at 34 with the Ragin’ Cajuns second 3-pointer of the game. Russell gave Louisiana a 39-36 lead with another 3-pointer and driving layup.
Russell scored 10 of the first 12 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns to open the second half.
The game was tied at 39 with 15:37 left in the game.
The scoring started to slow down after Louisiana’s hot start. Louisiana still led 45-44 with 12:09 left. The Ragin’ Cajuns went over two minutes without scoring after Russell’s scoring burst.
Louisiana’s Isaiah Richards made a layup off the assist from guard Devin Butts to put the Ragin’ Cajuns up 47-46 with 11:52 remaining.
The Red Wolves stopped Louisiana’s 7-0 run with two made free throws by Caleb Fields.
The Ragin’ Cajuns responded with three consecutive field goals as part of an 8-0 run. Louisiana led 60-50 with 7:37 left in the game.
Awkuba hit another hook shot to give Louisiana a 68-56 lead with 4:33 remaining. Arkansas State’s point were primarily coming at the free throw line. The Red Wolves did make a field goal in the last 4:38.
The Red Wolves connected on a 3-pointer out of the timeout to cut their deficit to nine points.
Louisiana increased their lead to 11 after an offensive rebound that led to two points for Akwuba. The Ragin’ Cajuns were up 72-61 with 2:59 left.
The Ragin’ Cajuns cruised down the stretch to an 81-68 win over Arkansas State.
Russell finished with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Seventeen of Russell’s 26 points came in the second half. Awkuba was a steady force with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Big Number: 38
Louisiana lived in the paint against the Red Wolves. Although they were outshot from the free throw line, the Ragin’ Cajuns outscored Arkansas State in the paint 38-24.
Player of the Game: Theo Akwuba
Awuba dominated the interior for the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Louisiana forward finished with 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Up Next: At home against Arkansas State, Saturday Jan. 23; Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.