The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns women’s basketball team spread the wealth early and often on Thursday, resulting in the team’s first win in a conference opener since 2015 with a 75-65 victory over Georgia State.
How It Happened:
The opening moments of Thursday night’s matchup couldn’t have gone any better for the Cajuns, going an 8-0 run early. The Panthers did respond though with a 9-2 run of their own to chip away at the deficit.
Things really started to heat up for the Cajuns in the second quarter, going up by as much as 12 points with 4:38 left until halftime. Georgia State tired to cut at the lead, but it was enough as Louisiana cruised to a 15-point lead at the half after a late layup from Makayla Hallmon.
The Panthers started to fight back in the second half with a 9-2 run in the third quarter to cut the deficit down to ten points. It was more of the same after that point with the Cajuns really imposing their will, getting out to a 52-35 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter after a jumper by Jomrya Mathis.
After a nice layup from Mathis put Louisiana up by 22, Georgia State started to fight back with a 19-4 run to make it an eleven point deficit. The Panther did get it down to single digits with 38 seconds left in the ballgame, but it was enough to close the deal as the Cajuns were able to come away with a double-digit victory thanks to a pair of late free throws from Andrea Cournoyer.
Big Number: 3
The Georgia State Panthers had every chance to win the contest on Thursday night based on some of the statistics, but one number stood out the most in the loss. That number was three made three-pointers out of twenty attempts. Nothing short of disappointing from the Panthers offense to start conference play.
Player of the Game: Jomyra Mathis
Mathis put together one of her best performances in the victory, leading the way with a career-high 14 points and eight boards almost saw the guard rack up a double-double. The Cajuns will need someone like her early in conference play with Jasmine Thomas out for at least the next couple of weeks with a knee injury.
Next Up: Saturday at Georgia Southern; Tipoff at 1 pm