University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Nicholls State
Cajuns Get Back on the Winning Track, Defeat Nicholls State
12/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005
THIBODAUX - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns moved to 9-2 on the season following Wednesday's 74-62 victory at Nicholls State. The Colonels fall to 1-8.
It wasn't easy, as the Cajuns trailed both at the half and at the 12-minute mark of the second half. UL's defensive prowess was hindered by 18 fouls. NSU was whistled for 26 infractions.
The second half was witness to five lead changes in the first four minutes. The Cajuns took a 41-39 lead at the 16:22 mark on Alicia McDaniel's third three-pointer of the game. Yolanda Jones added a three-point play to extend the Cajuns lead to 44-39 with 14:40 to play.
Three straight triples by three different Colonels around McDaniel's fourth three-pointer gave NSU back the lead, 50-49, at the 12:28 mark.
UL took the lead back for good with buckets inside by Jones and Sonora Edwards.
Dominique Washington's basket cut the Cajuns lead to one, but UL responded with five points to grab a six point lead. Onna Charles and Edwards each added a basket before Sherita Anderson pitched-in a free throw, giving Louisiana a 58-52 lead with 7:48 left.
Leading by four, 62-58, at the six-minute mark, the Cajuns took control of the game with their defense - outscoring NSU 8-2 over the next two minutes to grab a 70-60 lead with less than four minutes to play.
UL continued to hold the Colonels scoreless until Katherine Plummer's basket with 1:23 remaining cut the Cajuns lead to eight, 70-62.
Jeanenne Colbert added a free throw and Ashley Blanche converted three from the stripe to seal the win.
Blanche led the Cajuns with 17 points. McDaniel finished the night with a career-high 14 points. Edwards had 13 points and tied a career-best with 14 rebounds. Jones notched her seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Amber Williams played only five minutes, all in the first half, but recorded seven points and three rebounds. Williams' play gave UL a much-needed boost in the opening stanza.
Louisiana dominated the boards 51-34, including 21-9 on the offensive glass, and only committed 10 turnovers to 16 by NSU.
An up-and-down first half put the Cajuns down one point at halftime.
The Cajuns held the Colonels to two points in the first five minutes, but UL's early offensive struggles prevented the Cajuns from getting a bigger lead. Louisiana missed seven of its first 10 shots.
Two baskets from Blanche and one from Jones gave UL a 6-2 lead.
The Cajuns lead moved to seven, 11-4, on a three-pointer from McDaniel and another basket from Blanche.
NSU stormed back with a 13-4 run to take a 17-15 lead at the 10:33 mark.
The Cajuns hole sank to six points, 31-25, with 3:39 remaining in the first half.
UL was able to get within one after five unanswered points, but four straight free throws from the Colonels pushed the hosts lead to five.
A free throw from Charles was followed by a triple from McDaniel to close the Cajuns back within one point at the break.
Shooting was the story of the first half. The Colonels shot 40.6 percent from the floor, while the Cajuns connected at a 31.6 percent clip. NSU was 6-of-8 from the stripe, while UL was 7-of-13.
Louisiana will next play December 30, hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6pm at Earl K. Long Gym. The game marks the final non-conference test for UL, before opening Sun Belt play on January 5, 2006 versus Denver.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
