Things didn’t come easy for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, but they continued to finish the regular season strong with a late rally against the UL Monroe Warhawks leading to a 79-74 victory.
How it Happened:
Only nineteen seconds into the contest, Theo Akwuba got the Cajuns on the board with an easy layup. The Warhawks didn’t let up though, keeping it a one-point ballgame until midway through the first half.
Both teams seemed to not get a good handle on the ball with fourteen turnovers in the first half and multiple loose balls.
In the last 3:45 of the first half the Warhawks went on a big 11-0 run before a late three-pointer by Louisiana’s Kobe Julien cut the lead to nine points as both teams headed to the locker room.
Louisiana came out of halftime with a fire lit under them as Jalen Dalcourt and Dou Gueye drove two layups to the glass.
Despite knocking down shots, it just wasn’t enough for Louisiana as their 11-9 run still had the Warhawks in the lead by eight.
The Cajuns started to take control with a 16-5 run that started off of a second chance dunk by Michael Thomas that was short lived with a pair of free throws and a jumper by Warhawks Elijah Gonzales in the paint.
With the game tied for the third time of the second half, the Cajuns finally captured the lead 68-66 with a pair of free throws by Kobe Julien, a lead which they never relented.
Big Number: 20
Despite a 16-5 run in the second half by Louisiana , the Warhawks held the lead for twenty minutes straight in regulation.
Player of the Game: Kobe Julien
In his thirty-two minutes, Kobe Julien had a double double with 26 points including a perfect ten-for-ten in free throws and ten rebounds.
Up Next: Louisiana (11-13, 6-8 SBC) return to action on the road to Georgia Southern Wednesday. Tip is set for 6 p.m.