The Ragin’ Cajuns were unable to hold on to a third-quarter lead while playing in their first game inside historic Earl K. Long Gym in nearly four years. Despite the loudness of playing inside the small gym, the University of Louisiana women’s basketball team fell to visiting UT Arlington 73-66 on Thursday night.
With the loss, the Ragin’ Cajuns fall to 16-12 overall and 9-8 in the Sun Belt Conference.
How It Happened:
UT Arlington’s Aysia Evans put the Lady Mavericks on the board first with a layup but UL responded with a three-pointer by Brandi Williams. Kimberly Burton moments later made back-to-back jumpers to give the Cajuns a 7-2 lead.
The Mavericks though would respond and quickly make it a one-point game but the Cajuns answered right back as Jasmine Thomas made a three-pointer and then a two-point jumper.
The Ragin’ Cajuns would shoot 6-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first two quarters.
UTA though rallied once again and at the end of the first had cut UL’s lead down to 18-15.
After a back-and-forth start to the second quarter, UL built up a lead a comfortable eight-point lead with 2:25 before halftime. UTA responded yet again ending the second quarter on a 7-2 run and trialed 37-34.
Neither team could score for nearly the first two minutes of the third quarter until Ty Doucet hit a jumper. UL clung to the lead until Evans made a layup with 4:59 left in the period which gave the Mavericks a 44-43 lead. That sparked a 12-3 run to end the third and the Mavericks led 54-47.
UL was unable to climb back in the game as the closest the Ragin’ Cajuns were able to cut the lead was down to four with 1:39 left to play after Brandi WIlliams made a pair of free throws.
UL again made it a four-point game after Doucet made a jumper with 54.5 seconds left. The Mavericks though were able to hold on for the seven-point victory.
Big Number: 16
The Ragin’ Cajuns committed 16 turnovers in Thursday night’s loss and the Lady Mavericks were able to make them pay for that in a big way. UT Arlington scored 16 points off of UL turnovers.
Player of the Game: Skyler Goodwin
Goodwin came off the bench to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns with 13 points. Even though Goodwin shot only 2-of-7 from the field, the Cajuns guard did make all eight of her free throw attempts.
Next Up: UL hosts Texas State in the regular season finale on Saturday at the Cajundome. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.