PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns jumped out to an early double-digit lead inside the Pensacola Bay Center and never looked back in Saturday’s game against South Alabama.
The Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the Jaguars, 65-46, on Saturday afternoon and advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals on Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana took control as the Ragin’ Cajuns started the game on a 9-0 run.
Brandi Williams drained a three-pointer, which was followed by a free throw by Makayia Hallmon, another three-pointer by Williams and then a layup by Ty Doucet.
South Alabama’s Devyn Lowe got the Jaguars on the board with a three-pointer. Even though six of their first eight shots were from beyond the arc, South Alabama only made one three-pointer in the first two quarters.
Louisiana held a 17-9 lead at the end of the first.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were able to continue to keep the Jaguars in check in the second quarter as South Alabama shot only 25.9 percent from the field in the first half.
Louisiana meanwhile closed out the second quarter by getting back-to-back three pointers off the bench by Diamond Morrison.
At the break, the Ragin’ Cajuns led 33-18.
Despite some sloppy play in the second half, Louisiana maintained its lead and would secure its spot in the semifinals on Sunday.
BIG NUMBER: 21.7
Despite struggling from beyond the arc, South Alabama kept taking three-point shots but they just didn’t go in as Louisiana’s defense rushed shots. The Jaguars made only 5-of-23 shots from three-point range for a mere 21.7 percent from the field.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brandi Williams & Jomyra Mathis
Williams gave the Ragin’ Cajuns a scoring burst in the first half and ended the night with 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Mathis meanwhile came off the bench to lead the Ragin’ Cajuns with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and added seven rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Ragin’ Cajuns advance to the SBC Tournament semifinals. Louisiana will play the winner of the Georgia State-Little Rock quarterfinal game. Tip is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.