University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
LAMAR
Still Perfect at Home: Cajuns Improve to 6-0 after 70-51 Win over Lamar
12/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
December 22, 2004
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns' contest against long-time rival Lamar on Wednesday night was everything as advertised – in the first half. In the second half, UL Lafayette's quickness and physical play proved too much for the Cardinals to overcome.
Then, reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Anna Petrakova took over, leading the Cajuns with a season-high 24 points and nine rebounds, en route to a 70-51 victory at Earl K. Long Gym.
Louisiana-Lafayette is now 9-3 overall and will enjoy its Christmas break, before returning to action Dec. 30 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Petrakova was 9-of-20 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, including 2-for-2 beyond the arc.
Bernette Tolston and Sonora Edwards chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Shaquita Coffey led the Cardinals with 10 points.
UL Lafayette held Lamar to 31.4 percent from the field for the game (22-of-70), while the Cajuns shot 42.9 percent from the field (27-for-63).
Lamar (6-3) scored the first basket of the second half with a jumper from Audrea Samuel. Petrakova then hit a three followed by Onna Charles to give the Cajuns their first double-digit lead, 34-24, at the 17:37 mark of the second half. The Cajuns would score eight of the next 10 points to extend their lead to 16 points, 42-26. Charles and Ashley Blanche each chipped in four points during the Cajuns' spurt.
The Cardinals were able to trim the Cajuns lead to eight points, 46-38, with 11:07 remaining, but that was as close as Lamar could get in the second half. UL Lafayette increased its lead to as many as 18 points, 61-43, with 3:28 left in regulation before pulling away in the end to win by 19.
Petrakova scored the Cajuns' first seven points of the opening stanza, while Bernette Tolston hit a three pointer from the left corner to give UL a quick 10-2 lead.
Following a media timeout, Lamar freshman Chelsea Gugliotta sparked a 12-2 run. Bridgette Brackens hit two three pointers during LU's run – her second giving Lamar a two-point lead with 14:02 left in the first half, 11-10.
Tiffany Washington hit a three pointer which ignited a 7-0 run that gave the Cajuns a five-point lead, 19-14, with 9:55 left in the first.
Samuel and Shaquita Coffey combined for six points over the next three minutes to give Lamar only its third – and last – lead of the half. From there, the Cajuns closed out the half the same they began it – on a 10-2 run.
Sonora Edwards hit a jumper from the top of the key, followed by a Washington bucket to give UL a 23-20 lead with 4:48 remaining. After a Coffey basket, Washington came back with another basket from the low post. Petrakova and Charles each added a basket to give the Cajuns a 29-22 halftime advantage.
The Cajuns shot 42 percent from the field in the first half, while holding the Cardinals to 26 percent shooting in the opening stanza.
Lamar won the turnover battle in the first half, forcing 11 Cajuns turnovers; the Cardinals only turned the ball over eight times.
Petrakova led all scorers at the half with 11 points and six rebounds.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
