Wheaton and Johnson Take Charge as Louisiana Turns Away South Alabama

LAFAYETTE – Lanay Wheaton and Tamera Johnson combined for 15 field goal makes totaling 34 points and the duo helped the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team continue its upward trend in shooting in a 66-49 win over South Alabama on Thursday, January 12 at the Cajundome.

Wheaton (18 points, 7-of-14 FG) and Johnson (16 points, 8-of-13 FG) shot a combined 15-of-27 (55.6%), doing the heavy lifting as the Ragin' Cajuns' team percentage finished at 47 percent for the second straight game.

Louisiana (9-8, 3-2 SBC) shot 40 percent or higher all four quarters and outscored South Alabama (4-12, 0-5 SBC) each frame in collecting its second straight victory and moving back above the .500 mark.

The Ragin' Cajuns dominated in the middle quarters once again shooting 50 percent (15-of-30), limiting the Jaguars to 35 percent (8-of-23) and outscoring the visitors 37-22 over the second and third quarters to pull away from a one-point contest.

A pair of 9-3 scoring runs and holding USA scoreless for a pair of three-plus minute stretches in the second quarter allowed Louisiana to expand the lead, reaching double digits by halftime and remaining there the remainder of the night.

Louisiana gained its footing and seized the momentum when Nubia Benedith made all three free throws on a shooting foul to draw a 7-all tie at 6:24 of the first quarter, then during the five-minute mark Wheaton produced a five-point spurt – upping her total in the quarter to seven points – including a triple for a 12-9 lead.

USA kept the Ragin' Cajuns close through first quarter's end by holding them without a field goal make the final 5:14 of the period, eventually drawing a 14-all tie. A Destiny Rice free throw with nine seconds left provided Louisiana the lead for good.

Rice initiated the first breakaway in the second quarter with a three-pointer at 7:03 that made it 22-16, then nearly two minutes later it was Johnson capping off a string of nine unanswered points by driving through the lane for a second-chance bucket at 5:29 for the first double-digit lead at 26-16.

After the Jags sliced the lead to five points it was Johnson who went to work inside scoring in the paint to increase the lead to 30-21 by the 1:54 mark. USA closed within six points on a Casey Ferguson triple at 1:39, but Benedith dashed the visitors hopes in the final minute of the half with a swipe and score and a pair of free throws that increased the advantage to 35-24.

Louisiana locked up the triumph late in the third quarter, and opened its largest lead of the night, by using a 9-0 run after USA had crept back within 10 points. Mariah Stewart worked the baseline for a reverse layup which upped the lead to 45-33 and began the spurt which was capped off by a Benedith triple at 3:02 and Wheaton jumper at 2:20 making it 52-33.

Wheaton and Johnson combined for nine points in the fourth quarter to pace the march to the finish line. It was a triple from Wheaton with 7:34 remaining that pushed the lead to 55-39 and insured the double-figure margin of victory.

LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
In addition to finishing as top scorers, Wheaton and Johnson each grabbed a game-high eight rebounds as Louisiana outrebounded South Alabama 38-26.

Caira Wren contributed seven rebounds while also producing six points, three assists and three steals.

Benedith was the third Ragin' Cajun to score double figures, netting 10 points spurned by a 5-of-5 showing at the free throw line.

Rice landed a pair of three-pointers as she combined with Wheaton for four of the team's five makes from beyond the arc. She finished with nine points and handed out three assists.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns take a quick road trip to Troy, Alabama to meet the Trojans on Saturday, January 14 at 4:00 p.m., then return back to the Cajundome for a weekend homestand against Old Dominion (Jan. 19) and Arkansas State (Jan. 21).

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 -

Wheaton and Johnson Take Charge as Louisiana Turns Away South Alabama

Next Event

Team Stats

Lanay Wheaton

Tamera Johnson

Nubia Benedith

Destiny Rice

Players Mentioned

Nubia Benedith

Tamera Johnson

Destiny Rice

Mariah Stewart

Lanay Wheaton

Caira Wren

Players Mentioned

Nubia Benedith

Tamera Johnson

Destiny Rice

Mariah Stewart

Lanay Wheaton

Caira Wren

Footer

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics