Cajuns Get First Win of Season, Knocking off UC Riverside

Box Score

The Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team (1-3, 0-0) knocked off UC Riverside (1-4, 0-0) Wednesday night 59-56 at the Student Recreation Center in Riverside, Calif.

Both teams traded scores for the first eight minutes of the game, including back-to-back UL buckets from senior Michelle Brunker to even the score 8-8.

The Highlanders ran off nine straight points in a span of two and a half minutes to take a 17-8 advantage.

The Cajuns answered right back with an 8-0 run of their own to cut the Riverside lead to 17-16.

Louisiana took their first lead of the game 20-19 on a jumper from the baseline from Senior Krystal Motley.

Both squads refused to let the game get out of hand as the score remained tight for the rest of the half. UCR junior Tre'Shonti Nottingham made a three-pointer with two seconds left, giving the Highlanders a 30-28 lead at the break.

The teams were mirror images of each other in the half, both shooting 13-of-31 from the field and turning the ball over nine times.

Mercedes Johnson led the Ragin' Cajuns in scoring the first half with 10 points and Motley added five. Natasha Hadley poured in 12 points for Riverside.

The Cajuns stormed out of the locker rooms scoring nine of the first 11 points taking their biggest lead of the game 37-32.

The home team trimmed into the Louisiana lead, and went ahead 42-41 on a backdoor layup by freshman Dynese Adams.

With the Highlanders leading 46-43 with 8:38 remaining, Motley tied the score with a three from the right arc. Minutes later, Motley stole the ball and made a lay-up on the other end putting the Cajuns in front 50-49.

Nicole Morris gave Louisiana a 57-55 lead on a basket with 3:23 remaining. After Johnson knocked down two clutch free throws with 18 seconds left, UL survived one last three-point attempt by Riverside giving the Ragin' Cajuns their first victory of the season 59-56.

Louisiana had two players in double figures. Johnson lead the way with 20, putting her two points shy of fourth on the all-time scoring list in school history. Motley scored 10 points reaching double figures for the second straight game.

UL finishes up its California trip with a game against the University of San Diego on Friday at 9:00 p.m.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Cajuns Get First Win of Season, Knocking off UC Riverside

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