University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Middle Tennessee
Cajuns Miscues Lead to Defeat
1/30/2008 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Middle
Four turnovers by
The Cajuns made a quick 14-4 run in 2:45 to get back into the game with over 11 minutes remaining.
The Blue Raiders bounced back with a 10-2 burst over the next 1:58 to take control of the game.
The visitors constant pressure had the hosts fatigued in the later stages of the game, allowing MT to score easy baskets inside and pull away.
Chelsia Lymon led all players with 27 points, six steals and four assists. Amber Holt, the nation's leading scorer (27.1ppg), scored 19 points and had a team-high eight rebounds.
Sonora Edwards and Courtney Ratliff each had double-doubles for the Cajuns. Edwards enjoyed her sixth double-double of the season, and 18th of her career, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ratliff had her second double dip in as many games, finishing with 15 points and 13 boards. Alicia McDaniel led the Cajuns with 17 points. Jasmine Barnes established new career highs with 11 points and five boards.
The Cajuns shot better than the Blue Raiders, 45.2 percent compared to 37.2 percent, and had more rebounds, but the difference in the game came down turnovers. MT scored 40 points off Cajuns' miscues.
UL jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead in the game's opening five minutes. A basket by McDaniel, two from Barnes and one apiece from Edwards and Ratliff led to the scoring. The Cajuns did not commit a turnover and led in rebounding 8-4.
The Blue Raiders started the game 2-for-11 from the floor.
Four straight Cajuns turnovers led to 10 points by the Blue Raiders and their first lead, 12-11, at the 12:31 mark.
A fast-break jumper by McDaniel put the Cajuns back in front, but two more Cajuns turnovers helped MT take back the lead.
After Valanette Amie answered for UL, Holt scored five straight points to help the visitors to a 13-2 run and a 27-17 lead.
The Blue Raiders capitalized on 10 Cajuns turnovers at this point in the game, scoring 19 points off those miscues.
The Cajuns chipped away at their deficit with three straight baskets. Ratliff, Edwards and Barnes scored in succession to cut the MT lead to 30-24 with 2:28 remaining in the half.
MT closed the half with seven unanswered points to take a 13-point lead.
