University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida International* (DH)
Ragin' Cajuns at Florida International
2/22/2007 5:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Miami- The West was won in sunny Miami on Thursday, as Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns defeated Florida International by a final score of 75-52.
With Arkansas State (18-10, 11-6) losing at North Texas, Louisiana (22-7, 13-4) wins the Sun Belt West Division with one game remaining.
The Cajuns have now finished first or second in the SBC West for each of the past four seasons. UL won the West Championship in 2004-05.
The Cajuns 22 victories tie as the most in school history and are the most Division I wins in a season. UL's 13 road wins tie as the most in school history and their 10 true road wins are the most ever.
UL built a 30-point lead against FIU (15-12, 9-8) in the first 25 minutes and cruised to victory.
The Cajuns opened the second half with a 13-2 run, holding the Golden Panthers without a field goal for the first 5:45. UL's lead hit 30 points, 55-25, with 15:07 to play.
Jeanenne Colbert, Onna Charles, Alicia McDaniel, Sonora Edwards, Kina Miller and Yolanda Jones all scored one basket during the spurt.
FIU came back with a 19-6 run over the next eight minutes as the Cajuns started to relax.
The Cajuns turned off the cruise control and scored the next eight points to build their lead back up to 25 points. Jones hit a three pointer before a basket and then three from the stripe by Colbert gave the Cajuns a 69-44 lead with 5:51 remaining.
Jones led the Cajuns with 27 points and 15 rebounds, her 31st career double-double and 16th this season. Colbert added 20 points and seven assists. Charles finished with 12 points and seven rebounds and Edwards had eight points and 13 boards.
The Cajuns held FIU scoreless in the first half for 10:14 over two different defensive series en route to a 19-point halftime lead.
A one-point game five minutes into the contest, FIU took the lead, 11-10, at the 14:40 mark.
The Cajuns responded with a 12-0 run, with each of the five Cajuns starters scoring in succession before Jones topped the burst with her third basket of the game.
After FIU scored their first basket in a 4:42 span, the Cajuns added a lay-up by Colbert and a three pointer by Jones to take a 27-13 lead midway through the opening half.
The Golden Panthers used a 6-0 run to cut the Cajuns advantage under double figures, but Jones scored back-to-back baskets to trigger a 13-2 jaunt.
Edwards scored a pair of jumpers in the lane around two free throws by Charles, another Jones basket and a Colbert free throw giving the Cajuns a 39-21 lead with 3:44 showing.
Colbert finished the half with a basket to give the Cajuns a 42-23 lead.
The Cajuns finish their regular season on Sunday afternoon vs. North Texas. Senior Day tip is slated for 2pm at Earl K. Long Gym.
