Cajuns Run Past Xavier In Home Opener, 69-53

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LAFAYETTE, La. – An 11-2 run to begin the second half propelled the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team to a 69-53 victory over Xavier (La.) in the Cajuns' home opener Tuesday night at the Cajundome.

Leading 29-23 at halftime, Keke Veal and Simone Fields combined for eight of the Cajuns' 11 points out of the break to give Louisiana (2-0) a 40-25 cushion with 16 minutes to play. The Gold Nuggets continued to fight as a layup by Trana Hopkins cut Xavier's deficit to 44-35 with 12:50 to play in the game.

However, a three-pointer by Cienna Rodriguez at the 10:18 mark extended the Cajuns' lead to 48-35. Xavier (2-4) was able to pull within 10 after a three-point play from Donyeah Mayfield with 7:36 remaining, but the Cajuns answered with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to seal the 69-53 victory.

Veal led the Cajuns with 18 points and added eight boards. Fields finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Kia Wilridge totaled 12 points and four assists. Jaylyn Gordon came off the bench to finish with eight points and a career-high seven assists. Adrienne Prejean added seven points and tied Fields with a team-high nine boards, helping the Cajuns to a 45-32 advantage on the glass. Ireyon Keith and Whitney Gathright each totaled 10 points to lead the Gold Nuggets.

"They (Xavier) had been ranked in the top 20 in the NAIA. They pressure the ball and push the ball down the floor on the offensive side," said head coach Garry Brodhead. "It's like what we see in our conference. They shot the ball well too from the outside. It gave us an opportunity to work on some things and see where we're at."

In the first half, the Gold Nuggets grabbed a 5-4 lead four and a half minutes into the game before the Cajuns responded with a 7-0 run to go on top. Neither team was able to take control of the game in the first half as Louisiana shot 33 percent from the floor and Xavier was 31 percent in the first period.

Louisiana stretched its lead to double figures for the first time at the 3:50 mark in the first as a layup by Wilridge gave the Cajuns a 22-12 lead. A three-point play by Gathright capped off a 7-2 Xavier run late in the first period before a jumper by Rodriguez ended the spurt to help the Cajuns take a 29-23 lead at halftime.

Louisiana finished the night shooting 42 percent while holding Xavier to just 34 percent.

Louisiana continues its homestand Saturday at noon when the Cajuns host in-state foe Louisiana Tech at Earl K. Long Gym. Fans that show their ticket to the Cajuns football game for later that afternoon vs. Appalachian State will receive free admission. A food truck from Cajun Commander Café will give the first 50 fans a free bowl of jambalaya, and will also sell gumbo to fans in attendance.

-- RaginCajuns.com --

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Team Stats

Keke Veal

Simone Fields

Kia Wilridge

Jaylyn Gordon

Players Mentioned

Simone Fields

Jaylyn Gordon

Adrienne Prejean

Cienna Rodriguez

Keke Veal

Kia Wilridge