University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
SAVANNAH STATE
Cajuns Score 95 Points in Record-Setting Win
12/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
December 4, 2004
LAFAYETTE- A year after a crushing loss in overtime, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns avenged defeat in a big way following Saturday's 95-47 victory over Savannah State at the Cajundome.
The Cajuns needed just 18:21 to surpass last season's 45-minute game total of 45 points against the Lady Tigers. In stark contrast to last year's loss in which UL shot only 25 percent, the Cajuns shot 46 percent in the first half and dropped in eight three-pointers to open-up a 29-point halftime lead.
The second half was no different.
Louisiana (5-1) ran to an 84-28 lead midway through the second half. SSU (2-4) missed their first 12 shots of the second half, while the Cajuns were connecting on a blazing 67 percent from the floor.
The 48-point margin of victory sets a new Cajundome women's basketball record, as does the 95 points scored. Both records were previously set on Feb. 4, 1988, when the Cajuns defeated Texas-Pan American 90-50.
Four starters hit double-figures in scoring, led by 21 points in 26 minutes from Bernette Tolston. Anna Petrakova, playing on her 20th birthday, recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes. Ashley Blanche had 17 points and seven assists in 21 minutes and Tiffany Washington chipped-in 11 points in 24 minutes.
The Cajuns started the game slowly again, making only two of their first 10 shots. Louisiana caught fire shortly after, connecting on eight of its next 10 shots, including five-of-six from three-point range.
Tolston started the barrage with a triple from the corner. Tolston then hit two free throws before Blanche added two three's. When it was over, Onna Charles, Washington and Petrakova had all contributed to the Cajuns staggering 26-6 run.
The jaunt helped Louisiana take a 32-8 lead with 8:51 remaining. SSU was only 4-of-18 from the floor at that point.
The Lady Tigers made a short run to close the gap to 38-20 with 2:52 left in the half, but the Cajuns responded to the challenge.
UL closed the half by outscoring SSU 15-4 to take a 53-24 lead. Tolston chipped in eight more points on the spurt to lead all players with 18 at the break. Blanche had 13 points and five assists, while Petrakova had eight points and eight rebounds through the first 20 minutes of play.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
