PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are one win away from the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
The Ragin’ Cajuns overcame a sluggish first quarter to overtake the Little Rock Trojans 58-48 in their Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinal game at Pensacola Bay Center on Sunday afternoon. Louisiana went 4-0 against Little Rock this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After the two teams traded three pointers to start the game, Little Rock grabbed a lead with a three-pointer by Mayra Caicedo and then a layup off a turnover by Tia Harvey. A few minutes later, Little Rock pushed the lead to six with another three by Caicedo.
The Trojans led the Ragin’ Cajuns 17-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Louisiana reclaimed the lead with a 5-0 run to start the second quarter as Destiny Mcafee hit a jumper and Brandi Williams hit a three-pointer.
Little Rock took back control and did so by taking advantage of Louisiana miscues. The Trojans pushed the lead up to seven points after a Paloma Iradier made a layup off a turnover and then Ky’lie Scott hit a jumper off a Ragin’ Cajuns turnover.
Louisiana got some momemtum right before halftime with a 6-0 run as Ty Doucet made two layups and Skyler Goodwin made a second-chance layup.
Little Rock held a 28-27 lead at halftime.
Louisiana took control of the game by starting off the third quarter with an 8-0 run as Williams scored all eight points, including going 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
After Scott hit a three-pointer, Little Rock trimmed the lead down to two points with 3:43 in the third. Louisiana answered as Goodwin drained a three-pointer of her own.
Louisiana entered the fourth quarter with a 45-40 lead.
The Ragin’ Cajuns pushed the lead to as many as 14 in the final quarter as the team locked up a spot in the championship game.
BIG NUMBER: 14
The Ragin’ Cajuns went a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line in Sunday’s semifinal win. Louisiana had five players with at least two made free throws.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brandi Williams
Williams led all scorers with 16 points as she shot 4-of-7 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will face Troy in the SBC Tournament Championship Game on Monday. Tip is set for 1 p.m. The two teams played in the 2017 SBC title game which Troy won 78-64.