University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs. #7 Stanford Carrs/Safeway GreAlaska Shootout
Cajuns Finish Second at 2004 Great Alaska Shootout
11/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
November 24, 2004
Anchorage, Alaska- Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns were able to hang with the seventh-ranked Stanford Cardinal for 30 minutes, but in the end, the Cardinal proved to be too much for the Cajuns.
Stanford captured the 2004 Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday night with a 67-47 victory over UL.
With both teams playing their fourth game in six days, Stanford used its depth to beat the Cajuns.
The teams played a nearly even first half, until a late Stanford run gave the Cardinal a seven-point lead at the break.
The Cajuns closed the Stanford lead to six points, 51-45, midway through the second half.
From there, Stanford outscored the Cajuns 16-2 over the final 10:21 to earn the win.
Anna Petrakova led the Cajuns with an impressive 23-point, 13-rebound effort, while shooting 10-of-14 from the floor. Ashley Blanche added 10 points and five assists.
Both Petrakova and Blanche were named to the 2004 Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team.
Petrakova scored 12 of the Cajuns 18 second half points. Her first five baskets in the second stanza helped UL stay within striking distance.
Stanford out-rebounded UL 43-33, including 20-10 offensively. Thirteen Stanford steals helped the Cardinal force 19 Cajuns turnovers, to just 12 of their own.
A three-pointer by Bernette Tolston and a three-point play by Blanche gave the Cajuns an early 11-8 lead just 3:39 into the contest.
Stanford responded with an 8-0 run to take a 16-11 lead.
The Cajuns chipped away at the Cardinal edge and pulled even, 23-23, with 7:10 to play in the first half. Baskets by Blanche and Petrakova preceded five points from Alexandra Kotta, before Petrakova tied the contest with a free throw.
Stanford again responded to take back the lead, but UL played strong defense and used a 6-0 run to take a 29-27 advantage with 2:24 on the clock. Petrakova hit a pair of inside buckets before Blanche drove the lane to give the Cajuns their second lead.
The Cardinal closed the half with the last nine points to go up 36-29.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
