University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Western Kentucky
Rebounding Hampers Cajuns in Loss
2/19/2011 9:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The University of Louisiana women's basketball team held strong in the first few minutes, but a 15-2 run by WKU was too much to overcome as the Ragin' Cajuns fell 69-49 Saturday afternoon inside Earl K. Long Gym.
WKU (12-14, 9-5 Sun Belt) used a pair of runs in the first half to take a 14 point lead into the locker room. Louisiana (11-16, 4-10 Sun Belt) was held to just five made baskets in their first two attempts, finishing 38 percent (18-of-48) from the floor.
The Sun Belt's leading rebounding club out-numbered Cajuns 52-to-25 in rebounds. Despite the strong numbers on the boards, WKU also shot 38 percent (25-of-66).
With the absence of Mercedes Johnson and Danielle Smith due to illness, Jasmine Barnes stepped up to the challenge once again, posting 14 points and pulling in five rebounds. Barnes, a native of Baton Rouge, inked her 14th double-figure contest this season.
Lyndra Bell finished second for UL with eight points and five rebounds. Bell also collected two steals and dished out an assist in a career-high 40 minutes played.
Houston native Krystal Motley notched a solid game, scoring seven points, five of which came from the charity stripe. Also recording seven points was sophomore Josie West. The Gonzales, La. product pulled in five rebounds and earned a block
UL failed to make a three-pointer for the first time since playing WKU on Dec. 31, 2009, snapping a 45-game made three-pointer streak.
In the first half, Western Kentucky used a 15-2 run to separate themselves from the Ragin' Cajuns. WKU led 38-24 at the half, out-rebounding UL 27-to-12.
The Cajuns only hit five of their first 20 attempts from the field, finishing 32 percent (8-of-25) for the first half. For the Lady Toppers, they connected on 14-of-34 shots from the floor for 41 percent.
LaTeira Owens had 10 points for WKU, while Barnes notched 10 for UL. Owens finished with a game-leading 16 points for the Lady Toppers.
The pace of the game was back and forth in the first few minutes as the game was tied at seven with 15:54 on the clock. WKU proceeded on a 15-2 run to take commanding 22-9 lead.
Louisiana followed up with a five-point run to pull within seven. The Lady Toppers continued to shoot strong, stretching their advantage to 13 at 2:20.
A triple by Chaney Means extended the Lady Toppers lead to 36-20. UL rallied with two back-to-back baskets to pull within 12. Owens added a pair of free throws to put Western Kentucky up 38-24 at half.
WKU continued their hot start in the second half, extending their lead to 21 at the 11:43 mark.
Louisiana pulled within 18 when Lyndra Bell nailed a jumper at 5:36 remaining.
However, the Lady Toppers finished the game at the line, making 16-of-24 free throws to secure their ninth conference win.
The Ragin' Cajuns conclude the home portion of the schedule with a contest against the Denver Pioneers on Thursday, Feb. 24. The game will tip at 5 p.m. in the Cajundome with the men's game against the Pioneers following at 7:15 p.m.
--- Ragin' Cajuns --
