University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Florida Atlantic
First Half Shooting Hampers Cajuns
12/19/2009 10:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
www.ragincajuns.com - In Saturday's Sun Belt opener, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team struggled to find its shooting stroke in the first half, hitting just 29.4 percent (10-34) in a 60-75 loss against Florida Atlantic at Earl K. Long Gymnasium.
The Cajuns now sit at 3-8 on the season and 0-1 in the Sun Belt. FAU improves to 6-5 overall and 2-0 in league play.
Neither team could find the basket during the first two minutes of the first half, but FAU was able to knock down three three-pointers to take a 15-7 lead at the 11:58 mark.
The Cajuns pulled to within one point, 18-19, after Michele Brunker hit a pair of free throws to cap off a 10-4 run at the 6:12 mark.
But the Owls were able to put some distance between themselves and the Cajuns, taking a 34-26 lead into the half.
The Cajuns struggled in the first half, shooting just 29.4 percent on 10-of-34 shooting. The Owls however hit over 50 percent for the half, knocking down 13-of-25 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Florida Atlantic was able to stretch its lead in the second half to 17 points, 54-37, with 9:55 remaining in the second half and never looked back.
UL's shooting improved in the second half with the Cajuns knocking down 40.7 percent (11-27).
Alexis Green led UL with 15 points and five steals. She was joined in double figures by Mercedes Johnson who added 13 points.
UL also struggled in the battle of the boards with FAU outrebounding the Cajuns 37-29.
The Cajuns will have a quick turnaround before taking a break for the holidays with a game against Centenary on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled 2:00 p.m. CT at Earl K. Long Gym.
