Colonels Down Ragin' Cajuns, 71-62

THIBODAUX, La. – Four different Ragin' Cajuns turned in double-digit efforts, but it was not enough as Louisiana dropped a 71-62 decision to Nicholls State Monday night in Thibodaux. With the loss, Louisiana, which was out to its best start since 2004, falls to 2-2 on the year.

“We played hard and with a lot of effort, we just went through a spell where we didn't block out and rebound,” head coach Garry Brodhead said. “Once they would take the lead, we always fought back but we got into some foul trouble, which hurt us. I felt like we played tough though and with a lot more effort than last game, which is a positive since we open up conference play this Saturday against Middle Tennessee, who is tough year-after-year. It will be a great measuring stick to see where we are at.”

Freshman Keke Veal finished with 19 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Ashley Benjamin turned in a 14-point, five-rebound performance to lead the Ragin' Cajuns. Byronesha Santiago had a double-double, scoring 10 points and snaring 11 rebounds. Kia Wilridge chipped in 12 points and three steals to round out the double-digit scorers.

Despite scoring the first points of the game, the Ragin' Cajuns were unable to keep the momentum for long as the Colonels scored the next 11 unanswered points. UL clawed back, as Benjamin was unstoppable in the paint, scoring 14 points to cut the deficit. Louisiana tied the game at the 3:38 mark, 26-26, but the Colonels used a 10-2 run to end the first half and went into the locker room holding a 36-28 advantage.

With an unfortunate ending to the first half behind them, Louisiana came out of the locker room with renewed energy as Sylvana Okde hit a three-pointer in the opening possession. However, UL was unable to get the necessary stops on the defensive end as the Colonels went on a 12-5 run and held their largest lead, 48-33 with 16:07 left in the second half.

The Cajuns used a 10-0 run of their own to get within five points with 14:10 remaining in the game, but every time the Cajuns would string together a couple of buckets, Nicholls State had an answer. Despite only losing the second half by one point, Louisiana ultimately ran out of time, and fell for just the second time this year.

The Ragin' Cajuns return home to Earl K. Long Gym for their first Sun Belt Conference game against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 12 p.m.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

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Team Stats

Keke Veal

Ashley Benjamin

Kia Wilridge

Byronesha Santiago

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