University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Monday, December 19
Lafayette
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
vs
LSU-Alexandria
Home for the Holidays: Ragin’ Cajuns Start Three-Game Homestand Monday Night
12/18/2022 11:58:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Louisiana completes non-conference play and starts Sun Belt slate during extended stay at the Cajundome
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team kicks off a three-game holidays homestand on Monday, December 19, starting Christmas week with a 6:00 p.m. contest against LSU-Alexandria at the Cajundome.
The homestand, which includes the team's Sun Belt-opening games New Year's Eve weekend, keeps the Ragin' Cajuns (5-6) at home for the remainder of the calendar year.
Louisiana is celebrating "Christmas in the Cajundome" on Monday with an Ugly Sweater Contest and Toys for Tots Collection. Admission to the game – and all home games throughout the entire season – is free of charge for all and open to the public.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp) and Byron Starks (analyst) providing the commentary. Fans in the Acadiana region can listen to call of the game by Steve Peloquin on 103.3 FM The Goat and 1420 AM and worldwide on the Varsity Network. Live stats will be provided by CajunStats.com.
It's the first regular season meeting between the two in-state programs since the 1978-79 season. However, the Ragin' Cajuns and Generals recently met in an exhibition setting for both programs for four straight seasons from the 2014-15 through 2017-18 seasons.
The matchup with LSUA (2-9) marks the final non-conference game of the 2022-23 season for Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns seek to even their mark in out-of-conference action, bring an end to a two-game losing streak and capture their first post-final exams triumph.
Since returning to play following final exams, the Ragin' Cajuns dropped road outings at Auburn and Lamar as they ran into a pair of teams that shot 50-plus percent from three-point range and made a combined 23 triples.
Louisiana nearly overcame Lamar's beyond-the-arc attack on Saturday with a furious fourth-quarter push that trimmed a 21-point deficit down to 50-43 with 7:19 remaining. Lanay Wheaton led the charge in Beaumont as she scored her season-high points total (20) and registered Louisiana's first 20-point performance of the season.
The Ragin' Cajuns did regain their pre-final exams shooting form while in Beaumont – shot a combined 41 percent during four-game win streak – hitting 40 percent of their shots (20-of-50) against the Cardinals.
Tamera Johnson paces the Ragin' Cajuns in scoring (10.6) and rebounding (7.2). The Lafayette native has already generated six double-digit scoring performances and three double-doubles. Four other times she's been within three rebounds or less of a double-double and has scored 10-plus point in four of the last six outings dating back to the UNT Fall Feast.
The Ragin' Cajuns defense, which ranks Top 40 nationally forcing 21.1 turnovers per game, is led by Lanay Wheaton's 21 steals with Johnson right behind at 20 steals. Wheaton also paces the team with 16 assists, followed closely by Destiny Rice with 14 assists.
LSU-Alexandria, coming off a split of a conference weekend set at home, is in its first season under the guidance of head coach Billy Perkins who arrived in July after a five-year stint at Central (Neb.) Community College. The Generals are led in scoring by Dannah Martin-Hartwick (12.7) and Alex Harrison (12.4) while Amani Gray tops the charts in rebounding (5.5).
LSUA dropped a 73-27 decision to Southeastern Louisiana back in November in its lone previous meeting with a Division I program this season.
GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (5-6) vs. LSU-ALEXANDRIA (2-9)
Date / Time: Monday, December 19, 2022 / 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)
RADIO/TV
Radio: The GOAT 103.3 FM / 1420 AM
Talent: Steve Peloquin (PxP)
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (PxP); Byron Starks (analyst)
LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: CajunStats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsWBB | #GeauxCajuns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Louisiana leads, 1-0
In Lafayette: First Meeting (in regular season game)
Streak: Louisiana +1
Last Meeting: UL 80-59, 12/17/78 (Thibodaux, La.)
Noteworthy: Officially the second-ever regular season game between the two programs and the first since December 1978 … met four straight seasons in an exhibition setting for Louisiana from the 2014-15 through 2017-18 seasons … three of the four exhibition matchups were at the Cajundome; in November 2016 met at Blackham Coliseum … Louisiana claimed each exhibition contest by at least 25 points, with the average margin of victory being 39 points … last of the series of exhibitions occurred on Oct. 31, 2017 with the Ragin' Cajuns posting an 86-48 win at the Cajundome.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Following the LSUA outing the Ragin' Cajuns have a nine-day break for Christmas, then after the pause begin Sun Belt Conference play with Georgia State and Coastal Carolina visiting the Cajundome from Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 29-31.
The Sun Belt opener with GSU on Thursday (Dec. 29) is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., while the New Year's Eve contest with CCU tips at 1:00 p.m.
The Ragin' Cajuns are opening conference play at home for the second straight season after beginning on the road for eight straight seasons prior to the 2021-22 campaign.
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.
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.
The homestand, which includes the team's Sun Belt-opening games New Year's Eve weekend, keeps the Ragin' Cajuns (5-6) at home for the remainder of the calendar year.
Louisiana is celebrating "Christmas in the Cajundome" on Monday with an Ugly Sweater Contest and Toys for Tots Collection. Admission to the game – and all home games throughout the entire season – is free of charge for all and open to the public.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald (pxp) and Byron Starks (analyst) providing the commentary. Fans in the Acadiana region can listen to call of the game by Steve Peloquin on 103.3 FM The Goat and 1420 AM and worldwide on the Varsity Network. Live stats will be provided by CajunStats.com.
It's the first regular season meeting between the two in-state programs since the 1978-79 season. However, the Ragin' Cajuns and Generals recently met in an exhibition setting for both programs for four straight seasons from the 2014-15 through 2017-18 seasons.
The matchup with LSUA (2-9) marks the final non-conference game of the 2022-23 season for Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns seek to even their mark in out-of-conference action, bring an end to a two-game losing streak and capture their first post-final exams triumph.
Since returning to play following final exams, the Ragin' Cajuns dropped road outings at Auburn and Lamar as they ran into a pair of teams that shot 50-plus percent from three-point range and made a combined 23 triples.
Louisiana nearly overcame Lamar's beyond-the-arc attack on Saturday with a furious fourth-quarter push that trimmed a 21-point deficit down to 50-43 with 7:19 remaining. Lanay Wheaton led the charge in Beaumont as she scored her season-high points total (20) and registered Louisiana's first 20-point performance of the season.
The Ragin' Cajuns did regain their pre-final exams shooting form while in Beaumont – shot a combined 41 percent during four-game win streak – hitting 40 percent of their shots (20-of-50) against the Cardinals.
Tamera Johnson paces the Ragin' Cajuns in scoring (10.6) and rebounding (7.2). The Lafayette native has already generated six double-digit scoring performances and three double-doubles. Four other times she's been within three rebounds or less of a double-double and has scored 10-plus point in four of the last six outings dating back to the UNT Fall Feast.
The Ragin' Cajuns defense, which ranks Top 40 nationally forcing 21.1 turnovers per game, is led by Lanay Wheaton's 21 steals with Johnson right behind at 20 steals. Wheaton also paces the team with 16 assists, followed closely by Destiny Rice with 14 assists.
LSU-Alexandria, coming off a split of a conference weekend set at home, is in its first season under the guidance of head coach Billy Perkins who arrived in July after a five-year stint at Central (Neb.) Community College. The Generals are led in scoring by Dannah Martin-Hartwick (12.7) and Alex Harrison (12.4) while Amani Gray tops the charts in rebounding (5.5).
LSUA dropped a 73-27 decision to Southeastern Louisiana back in November in its lone previous meeting with a Division I program this season.
GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (5-6) vs. LSU-ALEXANDRIA (2-9)
Date / Time: Monday, December 19, 2022 / 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)
RADIO/TV
Radio: The GOAT 103.3 FM / 1420 AM
Talent: Steve Peloquin (PxP)
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (PxP); Byron Starks (analyst)
LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: CajunStats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsWBB | #GeauxCajuns
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Louisiana leads, 1-0
In Lafayette: First Meeting (in regular season game)
Streak: Louisiana +1
Last Meeting: UL 80-59, 12/17/78 (Thibodaux, La.)
Noteworthy: Officially the second-ever regular season game between the two programs and the first since December 1978 … met four straight seasons in an exhibition setting for Louisiana from the 2014-15 through 2017-18 seasons … three of the four exhibition matchups were at the Cajundome; in November 2016 met at Blackham Coliseum … Louisiana claimed each exhibition contest by at least 25 points, with the average margin of victory being 39 points … last of the series of exhibitions occurred on Oct. 31, 2017 with the Ragin' Cajuns posting an 86-48 win at the Cajundome.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
- Getting in the Holiday Spirit: In conjunction with "Christmas in the Cajundome" fans were asked to send in photos of their best Ugly Sweater to enter a contest. The winner will be announced during the game. All fans are encouraged to wear an Ugly Sweater on Monday night to join in the festivities.
- Unpack and Stay a Little While: For the first time since December 3 the Ragin' Cajuns get to compete on their home court at the Cajundome. The LSUA game is the first of three straight for Louisiana at home over the next two weeks.
- Final Tuneup: Monday's contest with LSUA is the last one before the "second season" arrives. Four days after Christmas, Louisiana will usher in Sun Belt Conference play with the opener set for Thursday, December 29 vs. Georgia State at the Cajundome.
- Arriving in Time: The 20-point performance on Saturday at Lamar was not only a season-high scoring effort for Lanay Wheaton, but it provided glimpses of the scoring punch she packed in the 2021-22 season. She appears to be shaking off the effects of a minor wrist injury that's persisted so far this season – just in time for Sun Belt Conference play.
- Turning 'Em Over: Seven times – and in each of the last three games – the Ragin' Cajuns have forced the opposition into 20-plus turnovers. Earlier this season, Louisiana turned over then-No. 3 Texas (Nov. 11) 25 times and forced a season-high 31 vs. Louisiana Christian (Dec. 3) in the last home game. Louisiana ranks Top 40 (at No. 32) nationally in turnovers forced per game (21.1).
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Following the LSUA outing the Ragin' Cajuns have a nine-day break for Christmas, then after the pause begin Sun Belt Conference play with Georgia State and Coastal Carolina visiting the Cajundome from Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 29-31.
The Sun Belt opener with GSU on Thursday (Dec. 29) is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., while the New Year's Eve contest with CCU tips at 1:00 p.m.
The Ragin' Cajuns are opening conference play at home for the second straight season after beginning on the road for eight straight seasons prior to the 2021-22 campaign.
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.
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.
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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