University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
SAM HOUSTON STATE
Long-Range Bombs Help Cajuns Coast Past SHSU
12/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
December 18, 2004
LAFAYETTE - Two days after shooting 54 percent at Arkansas, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns connected at a 51 percent clip en route to a 90-72 victory over Sam Houston State.
The Cajuns (8-2) shot well in the first half, connecting on 10 long-range buckets on 20 attempts behind the arc, as the Bearkats (2-5) played zone defense against Louisiana the entire first half.
UL took a 24-point lead, 53-29, into the second half and coasted through the final 20 minutes to take the victory.
The Cajuns made 14 triples in the game, surpassing the previous season-high in three-pointers of 10 vs. Savannah State and only one short of the school record.
All five starters hit double figures in scoring and all made at least one three, led by six triples from Bernette Tolston. Tiffany Washington led all players with a career-best 22 points and added 11 rebounds for her sixth career double-double and first this season. Onna Charles added 20 points, Tolston chipped-in 18 points, Anna Petrakova had 15 points and led all players with 13 rebounds, while Ashley Blanche had 13 points and 10 assists.
SHS missed their first five shots of the game, before hitting three straight, including two three-pointers. Louisiana shot well from the beginning, and despite the Bearkats newfound success, held a 15-8 lead five minutes into the contest.
The Cajuns then enjoyed a 15-4 run to take a 30-12 lead at the 8:56 mark. The run was keyed by eight points from Washington.
Louisiana continued to play strong defense, but sent Rachel Rivera to the free throw line eight times over a 1:29 span. River made all eight from the charity stripe to cut the Cajuns lead to 32-18.
From there, Louisiana went on a three-point barrage, connecting on five triples in the final 7:26. Charles and Petrakova each hit one, while Tolston connected on three - giving her five in the first half.
The Bearkats found some scoring late in the half to close to 53-29 at the break.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
