University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
South Alabama*
Petrakova Eclipses 1,000 Point Plateau, But Cajuns Falter at USA
1/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 15, 2005
MOBILE,
Ala. – For
the third straight season, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns have
experienced heartache at the Mitchell Center, falling 57-56
to South Alabama on Saturday night in Mobile.
Kimyatta Viverette's lay-up with 3.3 seconds left proved the
game-winner as the Jaguars ripped victory away from the
Cajuns.
USA improves to 9-6 (3-0), while UL falls to 12-4 (2-1).
Following a spectacular comeback, the Cajuns led 54-50 with
2:23 remaining in the game. It marked the third
straight season in which UL has led late in the game at
South Alabama only to lose in distressing fashion.
The Cajuns woke-up after USA used a 10-1 run to take a 45-35
lead with 9:07 to play.
UL stormed back with a spectacular 19-5 burst.
Ashley Blanche converted a three-point play and added a
jumper before
baskets by Onna Charles and Tiffany Washington closed the
Cajuns back to within one. Anna Petrakova then scored
10 straight points to give the Cajuns a 54-50 lead with 2:23
remaining.
Louisiana then went scoreless for the next two minutes.
A pair Cajuns turnovers and two fouls helped South Alabama
take three points from the free throw line, closing to
54-53, before Bernette Tolston hit two clutch free throws to
give Louisiana a 56-53 lead with 22.7 ticks on the clock.
Valencia Boswell converted a lay-up at 15.4 before Charles
turned the ball back over to USA with 11.2 seconds remaining
to set-up Viverette's heroics.
The loss spoiled a special night for Petrakova, who became
the tenth women's basketball player in school history to
record 1,000 points. Petrakova also moved into fourth place
on the school's career rebounding list. Her 28 points
and 18 rebounds led all players. No other Cajuns were
in double figures in scoring.
UL was hurt by 23 critical turnovers, while USA committed
only 10.
The Cajuns found themselves down quickly, 9-2, at the 16:23
mark. USA's defense intimidated the Cajuns, as UL turned the
ball over and took poor shots.
Neither team scored for the next four minutes until USA
connected on a pair of baskets to build a 13-2 edge.
Sherita Anderson converted a three-point play, Sonora Edwards nailed a
three-pointer and Washington made two free throws to cut the
Jaguars lead to 15-10 with nine minutes left in the first
half.
After another USA basket, the Cajuns went on a 10-3 run to
tie the game. Petrakova scored eight of the Cajuns 10,
including an offensive rebound and put-back at 4:59 to giver
her 1,001 career points.
The Cajuns and Jaguars then traded blows to end the half.
Blanche's free throw gave UL their first lead, 25-24,
with 1:02 remaining, but Quina
Mitchell made a free throw with seven second left to knot
the score at the break.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
