University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Poor Second Half Shooting Costs Cajuns in WNIT Loss
11/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2005
DALLAS – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns fell to the SMU Mustangs in the opening round of the Preseason Women's NIT on Friday night by a final score of 53-45.
The Cajuns second half was filled with missed opportunities and turnovers. The Cajuns shot just 21.1 percent in the second frame, including 1-of-10 from three-point range.
After the Cajuns had cut an eight-point deficit to one, 40-39 at the 6:19 mark, Louisiana had no answer for SMU's Janielle Dodds in the final minutes. Dodds scored nine of the Mustangs 13 points in the final 5:10 to lead SMU.
The Cajuns came out in the second half shooting 1-of-17, but made up for their lack of scoring with terrific defense. UL held SMU without a field goal for the first 6:31 of the second stanza.
By the time the Cajuns hit their second field goal, a three-pointer by Sonora Edwards, SMU led by five, 36-31 with 11:42 to play.
Ashley Blanche connected on a long bucket and was fouled, to cut the Cajuns deficit to 40-35. Blanche missed the free throw, the Cajuns seventh miss in 12 attempts from the line on the evening.
Yolanda Jones hit back-to-back baskets to bring UL within a point, but Dodds came back with five straight points to lift the hosts to a 45-39 lead with 4:08 left.
From there, Jones' ensuing basket brought the Cajuns within four, but they would get no closer.
Jones led UL with 20 points and 12 boards. Blanche added 11 points and seven assists. Edwards posted 11 rebounds and Alicia McDaniel added 10 boards, as the Cajuns out-rebounded the Mustangs 52-46.
Dodds was the only SMU player in double-figures in scoring, finishing the night with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Dodds made eight of the Mustangs 19 field goals.
The first half decided nothing, as the teams played to a 26-26 tie.
Three-point shooting helped the Cajuns to an early edge. Two treys from Onna Charles and one from Jones, coupled with a Blanche basket, gave UL an 11-8 lead four minutes into the contest.
As the Cajuns continued to excel outside, the Mustangs scored in the paint. SMU used eight lay-ups, a short jumper and a pair of free throws to grab a 20-18 lead with 6:38 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Mustangs then went outside, knocking down a pair of three's to take a 26-18 lead with 5:29 left in the half.
UL responded with an 8-0 run to close the half, tying the game at 26 apiece. Charles started the spurt with a running jumper. Blanche converted a three-point play, and then a jumper before Edwards capped the run with a free throw.
The Cajuns were just 3-of-9 from the line in the first half and committed 12 turnovers, but held SMU to 30 percent shooting, including 2-of-12 from three-point range.
The Cajuns will return to action on Friday, Nov. 20 vs. Hampton. Game time is set for 3pm at Earl K. Long Gym.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
