University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
New Mexico State
Cajuns Clinch Sun Belt West Division
2/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - With a 69-58 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday night, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette clinched the Sun Belt Conference West Division.
After taking a one-point lead at the half, UL Lafayette (18-6, 10-1) was able to outscore the Aggies 37-27 in the second half using stellar defense and a potent offensive attack.
The Cajuns shot 54 percent (14-26) in the second frame, while holding NMSU (16-7, 6-5) to only 25 percent (6-24) in the final 20 minutes.
New Mexico State used their first possession of the second half to take their first and only lead of the game. Chris Jackson's basket gave the Aggies a short-lived 33-32 edge.
The Cajuns Brad Boyd knocked down a three-pointer on the next trip for UL Lafayette.
After a free throw by Allen Haynes, the Cajuns went on a 7-1 run to up their lead to 42-35.
Boyd hit another three pointer and scored five points on the run.
NMSU refused to quit, trimming the lead down to four, 44-40, with the help of consecutive baskets by Jason Fontenet.
Leading by five, the Cajuns stormed back with a 7-0 run to take a 56-44 advantage with 10:44 remaining in the game.
UL Lafayette extended their lead to as large as 16 points, 61-45, before the Aggies cut the deficit to 10 points, 61-51 with 6:32 to play in the game.
The Cajuns clamped down on defense the rest of the way, not allowing another basket from the floor. The Aggies scored their final seven points on free throws, six by James Moore.
Boyd led the Cajuns with 26 points, including five three pointers. Anthony Johnson scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Kenneth Lawrence added 10 points and had eight boards.
Michael Southall, double teamed every time he touched the ball, hit only one field goal, scoring four points, but added a team-high 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
NMSU saw all five starters in double figures, led by 12 apiece from Moore and Haynes. Jackson was the only player to post a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Neither team was able to get much scoring off the bench. Louisiana-Lafayette's bench outscored the Aggies' bench 4-3.
The game opened well for the Cajuns. A 9-0 run helped the visitors take a 22-11 lead.
Johnson started the spurt with a three pointer. Then, Lawrence scored back-to-back baskets on nice dribble penetration. Laurie Bridges capped the run with a jumper.
Using a 9-2 run, the Aggies cut the Cajuns lead to three points, 26-23. Neither team was able to hit a field goal over the next several minutes, but Boyd made five free throws over that span to bump the Cajuns lead to 31-23.
The Cajuns field goal drought continued, as the Aggies climbed back into the game with an 8-1 run to close the half.
UL Lafayette's last field goal of the first half came on a Boyd jumper with 7:24 remaining.
The Cajuns will travel to Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock this Thursday and Saturday, respectively for their final two road games of the regular season.
UL Lafayette finishes the regular season with a pair of home games against North Texas on Monday, Feb. 24 and against Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Feb. 26 against Western Kentucky. Tip-off for the North Texas contest is scheduled for 7:05pm, while the game versus WKU is slated for 8:30pm because it will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
The game against the Hilltoppers is also “Second Chance Night” for all Cajuns basketball season ticket holders. Season ticket holders can redeem any unused season tickets for tickets to the WKU game. Redemption must be done at the Cajundome box office.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
