The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s basketball team looked to bounce back after losing Thursday’s contest versus UT Arlington. They opened the new year hosting Texas State and defeated the Bobcats 78-72 Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Da’Nasia Hood opened up the game for the Bobcats with a kiss off the glass layup as Kennedy Taylor assisted on the play. Destiny Rice hit a jump shot before Hood came right back with her second bucket of the game. After back-to-back steals by each team, Diamond Morrison and Hood misfired on their three point attempts. Following her getting her pockets picked, Tamera Johnson made the and-one layup to give the Ragin’ Cajuns the early 5-4 lead.
The final seven minutes was back-and-forth scoring with Texas State slightly out scoring Louisiana 11-10. The Cajuns’ Lanay Wheaton and Makayia Hallmon scored eight of their 10 points. Each player on floor for the Bobcats had a hand in scoring with everyone scoring at least a point and the game was tied at 15 after the first 10 minutes of play.
Taylor gave the lead back to the Bobcats with a three pointer and came right back with a layup and getting the steal off of Skyler Christmas. Louisiana grabbed the lead back for a second as a bucket was made by Wheaton, Johnson and Hallmon. Jaeda Reed the next possession gave the lead right back to Texas State and after a few missed shots by both teams, Sierra Dickson brought their lead back to three with under five minutes to play in the first half.
Johnson was able to give the Cajuns the lead again with a couple of buckets, but it was short-lived as Taylor made a three pointer. Wheaton tied the game with under a minute to go, but Lauryn Thompson was fouled late and made both of her free throws to give Texas State the 29-27 lead headed to halftime.
Louisiana opened up the second half with Johnson getting the steal off Dickson, but Taylor hustled for the loose ball in transition and got the ball right back for her team. Caira Wren got it going, making two of her squad’s first three baskets and gave the Ragin’ Cajuns the lead. After Hood made her jump shot, Louisiana went on on a 10-5 run.
With three minutes left in the third quarter, Texas State made back-to-back three’s to regain the lead. The Cajuns ended the quarter with the last four point, with Johnson hitting a three pointer to give Louisiana the 47-44 lead after three quarters of play.
Taylor continued to lead her team in scoring with two made free throws after Morrison fouled her in their first possession of the fourth quarter. Johnson started the Cajuns final quarter scoring with a made three as they went on a 11-6 run. Gabby Standifer’s three pointer cut the Bobcat deficit to three, but Hallmon’s and-one made jumper put Louisiana’s lead back to six with 3:26 left in the game.
Johnson out of a timeout extended the Cajuns lead with a shot clock beating jumper and Hallmon came right back after a Hood layup with one of her own. Louisiana moved the lead up to 11 with Wheaton and Johnson each making both of their free throws and Hallmon hitting another jumper. The Bobcats made thing interesting with back-to-back tough made three’s by Taylor, with her getting fouled on the second and making the free throw to cut the deficit back down to six.
Louisiana maintained their lead making their free throw attempts and started the new year strong with the 78-72 win over the Texas State Bobcats.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lanay Wheaton
Wheaton had a great game Saturday as she led her team with 26 points. She recorded four rebounds and tacked on two assists and steals in the win.
BIG NUMBER: 51
The dynamic duo of Lanay Wheaton and Tamera Johnson combined for 51 points in their 78-72 victory over the Bobcats. Wheaton led with 26 points with Johnson scoring 25 points of her own in Saturday’s win.
NEXT UP: @ Arkansas State, January 6th; Tipoff at 7:00