University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, November 27
Denton, Texas
12:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-4,0-0Sun Belt
54
vs
38
Abilene Christian
3-3,0-0WAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | 10 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 38 |
| Louisiana | 5 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 54 |
Louisiana Uses Johnson and Porter to Overwhelm Abilene Christian
11/27/2022 4:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Duo combined for 32 points highlighted by Porter’s career outing from three-point range
DENTON, Texas – Guided by a double-double from Tamera Johnson and the three-point shooting of Sherry Porter the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team completed a two-game sweep of the UNT Thanksgiving Tournament with a 54-38 win over Abilene Christian on Sunday, November 27 at The Super Pit in Denton, Texas.
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Johnson steadied the Ragin' Cajuns efforts in building a first-half lead with seven points, five rebounds and a pair of assists, then in the second half Porter stole the spotlight with four triples including a pair of daggers to the Wildcats' hopes late in the third quarter.
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Louisiana (3-4) turned in a dominant defensive effort, holding the Wildcats to 28 percent shooting (13-of-46) for the entire contest. The Ragin' Cajuns flipped the script on the Wildcats in the second quarter limiting them to an abysmal 2-of-17 showing to overcome a 10-5 deficit entering the period. Later on in the fourth quarter, the squad forced six turnovers and held ACU scoreless for over five minutes in building a double-digit advantage of 49-35 with 5:03 left to play.
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The all-around defensive performance from Louisiana, which resulted in fewest points allowed this season and the opposition's lowest shooting percentage since the season opener, included 11 steals and a season-high six blocked shots.
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The Ragin' Cajuns overtook the Wildcats with 8-for-14 shooting in the second quarter, getting untracked when Johnson made two quick buckets by the 8:00 mark to kick off a 9-0 run that was capped off by Porter's first triple which gave Louisiana a 14-12 lead.
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ACU hung around until the Ragin' Cajuns defense showed up to create separation before halftime. Mariah Stewart blocked a shot that led to a Nubia Benedith basket for a 20-16 lead with 1:03 left before the break.
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With a 4-of-5 stretch from the floor the Wildcats were able to close in at 28-25 by the third quarter media timeout at 4:14. Johnson took over inside with a pair of layups to keep Louisiana ahead, the latter making it 32-27 at 2:28.
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The Wildcats continued to answer back, but Porter was waiting in the wings to preserve Louisiana's lead. She knocked down two triples in the final 1:47 of the stanza including a buzzer beater that increased the Ragin' Cajuns lead to 38-33.
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Still a five-point difference with seven minutes remaining, Louisiana put the game away when Benedith completed a crucial "and-one" situation for a 43-35 lead at 6:42, then one minute later Porter lifted the lead into double figures for good at 47-35 with her fourth triple of the game at 5:27.
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The Ragin' Cajuns' 16-5 sprint to the finish line was spurned by limiting ACU to two field goal makes and only 10 attempts with a defense that forced eight turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
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LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Johnson's double-double consisted of a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-15 shooting. It was her second double-double of the weekend (12 points, 11 rebounds vs. UNT) leading her to all-tournament honors in the UNT Thanksgiving Tournament.
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The Lafayette Christian product nabbed four offensive rebounds and added three assists and four steals to her stat line. The point production marked the highest by a Ragin' Cajun on the young season.
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Porter's breakout performance saw the WKU transfer shoot an eye-popping 5-of-6 from three-point range for a 15-point outing. She netted her season-high in points, besting the 11 vs. Houston in the season opener, and set a new career-high total for triples.
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Caira Wren contributed six points and rounded up five offensive rebounds. She and Stewart each posted two blocks in helping build the team's season-best total (6).
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Benedith scored six points in her first start of the season and collected three steals. Lanay Wheaton was involved offensively and defensively, totaling three assists and four steals.
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UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana enjoys an entire week at home inside the Cajundome, starting on Tuesday, November 29 with the program's annual Education Game set for 11:00 a.m. against LSU-Shreveport.
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Those local area elementary, middle school, and high school classes in attendance for the free field trip will receive a t-shirt, activity pack, and a discounted meal deal for $8 that includes a hot dog, fries, and drink.
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The Ragin' Cajuns then round out the week on Saturday, December 3 with a 2:00 p.m. matinee at the Cajundome against Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College). The matchup with the Wildcats marks the final game before final exams week.
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FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsWBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
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Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
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Johnson steadied the Ragin' Cajuns efforts in building a first-half lead with seven points, five rebounds and a pair of assists, then in the second half Porter stole the spotlight with four triples including a pair of daggers to the Wildcats' hopes late in the third quarter.
Â
Louisiana (3-4) turned in a dominant defensive effort, holding the Wildcats to 28 percent shooting (13-of-46) for the entire contest. The Ragin' Cajuns flipped the script on the Wildcats in the second quarter limiting them to an abysmal 2-of-17 showing to overcome a 10-5 deficit entering the period. Later on in the fourth quarter, the squad forced six turnovers and held ACU scoreless for over five minutes in building a double-digit advantage of 49-35 with 5:03 left to play.
Â
The all-around defensive performance from Louisiana, which resulted in fewest points allowed this season and the opposition's lowest shooting percentage since the season opener, included 11 steals and a season-high six blocked shots.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns overtook the Wildcats with 8-for-14 shooting in the second quarter, getting untracked when Johnson made two quick buckets by the 8:00 mark to kick off a 9-0 run that was capped off by Porter's first triple which gave Louisiana a 14-12 lead.
Â
ACU hung around until the Ragin' Cajuns defense showed up to create separation before halftime. Mariah Stewart blocked a shot that led to a Nubia Benedith basket for a 20-16 lead with 1:03 left before the break.
Â
With a 4-of-5 stretch from the floor the Wildcats were able to close in at 28-25 by the third quarter media timeout at 4:14. Johnson took over inside with a pair of layups to keep Louisiana ahead, the latter making it 32-27 at 2:28.
Â
The Wildcats continued to answer back, but Porter was waiting in the wings to preserve Louisiana's lead. She knocked down two triples in the final 1:47 of the stanza including a buzzer beater that increased the Ragin' Cajuns lead to 38-33.
Â
Still a five-point difference with seven minutes remaining, Louisiana put the game away when Benedith completed a crucial "and-one" situation for a 43-35 lead at 6:42, then one minute later Porter lifted the lead into double figures for good at 47-35 with her fourth triple of the game at 5:27.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns' 16-5 sprint to the finish line was spurned by limiting ACU to two field goal makes and only 10 attempts with a defense that forced eight turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
Â
LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Johnson's double-double consisted of a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-of-15 shooting. It was her second double-double of the weekend (12 points, 11 rebounds vs. UNT) leading her to all-tournament honors in the UNT Thanksgiving Tournament.
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The Lafayette Christian product nabbed four offensive rebounds and added three assists and four steals to her stat line. The point production marked the highest by a Ragin' Cajun on the young season.
Â
Porter's breakout performance saw the WKU transfer shoot an eye-popping 5-of-6 from three-point range for a 15-point outing. She netted her season-high in points, besting the 11 vs. Houston in the season opener, and set a new career-high total for triples.
Â
Caira Wren contributed six points and rounded up five offensive rebounds. She and Stewart each posted two blocks in helping build the team's season-best total (6).
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Benedith scored six points in her first start of the season and collected three steals. Lanay Wheaton was involved offensively and defensively, totaling three assists and four steals.
Â
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana enjoys an entire week at home inside the Cajundome, starting on Tuesday, November 29 with the program's annual Education Game set for 11:00 a.m. against LSU-Shreveport.
Â
Those local area elementary, middle school, and high school classes in attendance for the free field trip will receive a t-shirt, activity pack, and a discounted meal deal for $8 that includes a hot dog, fries, and drink.
Â
The Ragin' Cajuns then round out the week on Saturday, December 3 with a 2:00 p.m. matinee at the Cajundome against Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College). The matchup with the Wildcats marks the final game before final exams week.
Â
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsWBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
Â
Fans are also encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
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- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
ACU
LA
FG%
.283
.361
3FG%
.150
.333
FT%
.750
.714
RB
40
35
TO
23
11
STL
3
11
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballMonday, February 23
Sunday, February 22
Thursday, February 19
Monday, February 16
