Cajuns' Sights are Set on ULM for Conference Opener

Game 12

Louisiana (7-4) at ULM (4-8)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014
Time: 2 p.m.
Site: Fant-Ewing Coliseum
Radio: ESPN 1420 (Jay Walker)
TV: None
Live Video Stream/Stats: www.ULMWarhawks.com
Series: ULM leads 41-6.
Last Meeting: ULM 64, Louisiana 50 - March 2, 2013 at Monroe, La.
Louisiana season tickets available at RaginCajuns.com and by calling the Cajundome (337) 265-2357.

THE COACHES:
LOUISIANA
GARRY BRODHEAD
At Louisiana: 17-25 (2nd Season)
Overall: Same
vs. ULM: 0-2

ULM
MONA MARTIN
At ULM: 256-280 (18th Season
Overall: Same
vs. Louisiana: 11-3

Game Notes

Setting the Scene: After going 7-4 in non-conference play, the Cajuns will open Sun Belt Conference play against in-state foe, ULM on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 in the first game of a men's/women's doubleheader. The Cajuns are led by sophomore guards Keke Veal and Sylvana Okde. The duo averages 11.7 and 9.5 points per game, respectively, while Veal ranks 13th in the nation with 3.18 steals per game. Fellow sophomore, Jasmin Mills leads the team on the glass, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. The Cajuns have played all 11 non-conference games for the 2013-14 season already, and will play strictly Sun Belt opponents from here on out.

About the Opponent: ULM comes into conference play with a 4-8 record, with wins against Louisiana College, Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, and Alcorn State. They are led by senior forward Ashley Simmons, averaging 15.9 points and 8.0 rebounds a game and senior guard Alexar Tugar, averaging 11.1 rebounds a game and 3.3 assists.

Non-Conference Roundup: Seven non-conference wins marks the most by the Ragin' Cajuns since they won nine non-conference games in the 2006-07 season, finishing non-conference play with a 9-3 record. They used that to advance to the schools' lone NCAA Tournament appearance, losing to #21 Marquette in the tournament opener

Chairmen of the Offensive Board: The Ragin' Cajuns lead the Sun Belt in offensive rebounds with 17.1 per game, an honor that they came just short of in 2013, finishing second to just Middle Tennessee. They lead Troy by 0.7 rebounds a game, and are 2.1 rebounds ahead of Arkansas State, who sits in third in the conference.

Like she stole Something: Keke Veal averages 3.18 steals per game through the first 11 games, leading both the team and the conference. She ranks 13th in the nation, tied with Paris Williams of Chicago State, and is second among players who play for a Louisiana school, behind Chrisstasia Walter of Louisiana Tech (6th/3.33). D.J. Fowler of Charleston Southern leads the country with 4.00, as of the rankings published on Dec. 30.

Off the Bench: Freshman guard Jaylyn Gordon has played in all 11 games this season, starting three, while averaging 9.3 points a game. In games she has come off the bench she averages 9.5 points, 2.7 assists, 2.4 turnovers and 1.3 steals in 23.9 minutes. She leads all non-starters in points, minutes, and steals per game, while leading the entire team with 2.7 assists a game.

To Their Defense: Despite ranking sixth in the Sun Belt in offense with 65.7 points per game, the Cajuns have balanced their game with the second-best scoring defense in the Sun Belt, allowing 61.2 points per game, behind UALR (57.0) and boast a +4.5 scoring margin, which is also second in the Sun Belt, behind WKU (+6.8).

Defending the Three: Louisiana ranks 8th in the nation in opponent 3-point percentage, holding opponents to 24.8 percent from 3-point land. They currently rank first in the Sun Belt and among teams in Louisiana, holding opponents to 29-of-117 from behind the arc, while making 55 triples of their own.

From Downtown: Sophomore guard Sylvana Okde hit 74 3-pointers in her freshman season, marking the fourth-highest season in Ragin' Cajuns history. To put into perspective, she has already cracked the top-10 list for 3-point shots made in a career, ranking ninth in just her first season. She became the first player since Rhonda McCullough with 70-or-more 3-pointers in a season in 1989-90. McCullough also holds the all-time record for 3-pointers in a season, knocking down 102 triples in the 1987-88 season. As a sophomore, Okde has added to that total, hitting 22 of 80 shots from behind the arc for 95 career triples. She has at least one three-pointer in the last 14 games, dating back to March 2, of last season against ULM.

What's Next? The Ragin' Cajuns will continue the grind that is conference play, returning home to take on Texas State on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. and UT Arlington on Jan. 11 at 4:15 p.m., both at the Cajundome. The Sun Belt schedule features nine home games, all the the Cajundome for the Ragin' Cajuns, before finishing up with the Sun Belt Conference Tournament from March 12-15 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.

-- Ragin Cajuns --

Cajuns' Sights are Set on ULM for Conference Opener

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