University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Wednesday, November 22
Estero, Fla.
12:30 p.m. (CST)
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
4-2,0-0Sun Belt
92
vs
82
Long Beach State
3-4,0-0Big West
1
2
F
Louisiana
40
52
92
Long Beach St.
43
39
82
Cajuns Match Single Game 3-Point Record in Final Round of Gulf Coast Showcase
11/22/2023 5:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Five Cajuns finished in double figures and four hit at least four three-pointers
ESTERO, Florida – Just a week after setting the program record for made threes in a game, the Louisiana men's basketball team matched that with 18 in a 92-82 victory over Long Beach State to close out the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida.
The Cajuns were led offensively by Kentrell Garnett and Blake Butler, who each finished with 20 points and four made threes. Joe Charles continued his big season with his fourth double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Kobe Julien added 14 points while Hosana Kitenge scored 10 while grabbing seven boards. Michael Thomas had a solid game off the bench with seven points and five assists.
The Cajuns were efficient from long range, going 18-of-37 (.486 percent), the third best mark in by a team with at least 18 made threes in a game. The Cajuns also became the first school in the country with 18 made threes in a game multiple times.
Despite the high scoring affair, things started off slowly and the score was 2-2 at the first media timeout. Out of the timeout, Julien got things going with a three but the Beach responded with a 10-0 run to take an eight-point lead. Butler stopped the bleeding with a three of his own before Thomas answered a Beach basket with another three to trim the deficit to four.
The Beach held a seven-point advantage with 9:31 to go in the opening half before the Cajuns caught fire. Charles knocked down a three and after Long Beach made a free throw, Garnett connected on another three. The defense forced a shot clock violation and Thomas connected on his second of the game to put the Cajuns ahead 24-23.
Butler stole the show, scoring nine of the next 12 Louisiana points to push the lead to as high as six. The Beach battled back, eventually taking a five-point lead, before Garnett hit a floater at the buzzer and sent Louisiana into the locker room down 43-40.
The second half was all Cajuns. Charles got things going with a three and followed it with a pair of free throws. Garnett put the Cajuns back on top with another three at 48-47 and Themus Fulks followed with a free throw to make it a two-point game. After the Beach tied the score at 49, Garnett hit again from long range, giving the Cajuns a lead they would never give up the rest of the way.
Julien hit three long balls in a three minute span and pushed the lead to 10. Butler's final bucket of the night pushed the lead to 19. The Beach made a late run to make the score close but never got back within single digits.
The Cajuns return to the Cajundome to face Loyola (N.O.) on Monday, November 27. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as head coach Bob Marlin goes for the 600th win in his head coaching career.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Season tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome, or by purchasing by visiting Account Manager. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
The Cajuns were led offensively by Kentrell Garnett and Blake Butler, who each finished with 20 points and four made threes. Joe Charles continued his big season with his fourth double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Kobe Julien added 14 points while Hosana Kitenge scored 10 while grabbing seven boards. Michael Thomas had a solid game off the bench with seven points and five assists.
The Cajuns were efficient from long range, going 18-of-37 (.486 percent), the third best mark in by a team with at least 18 made threes in a game. The Cajuns also became the first school in the country with 18 made threes in a game multiple times.
Despite the high scoring affair, things started off slowly and the score was 2-2 at the first media timeout. Out of the timeout, Julien got things going with a three but the Beach responded with a 10-0 run to take an eight-point lead. Butler stopped the bleeding with a three of his own before Thomas answered a Beach basket with another three to trim the deficit to four.
The Beach held a seven-point advantage with 9:31 to go in the opening half before the Cajuns caught fire. Charles knocked down a three and after Long Beach made a free throw, Garnett connected on another three. The defense forced a shot clock violation and Thomas connected on his second of the game to put the Cajuns ahead 24-23.
Butler stole the show, scoring nine of the next 12 Louisiana points to push the lead to as high as six. The Beach battled back, eventually taking a five-point lead, before Garnett hit a floater at the buzzer and sent Louisiana into the locker room down 43-40.
The second half was all Cajuns. Charles got things going with a three and followed it with a pair of free throws. Garnett put the Cajuns back on top with another three at 48-47 and Themus Fulks followed with a free throw to make it a two-point game. After the Beach tied the score at 49, Garnett hit again from long range, giving the Cajuns a lead they would never give up the rest of the way.
Julien hit three long balls in a three minute span and pushed the lead to 10. Butler's final bucket of the night pushed the lead to 19. The Beach made a late run to make the score close but never got back within single digits.
The Cajuns return to the Cajundome to face Loyola (N.O.) on Monday, November 27. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as head coach Bob Marlin goes for the 600th win in his head coaching career.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Season tickets are available by visiting the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome, or by purchasing by visiting Account Manager. For more information call the Louisiana Athletics Box Office at the Cajundome at (337) 265-2104.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
Team Stats
LA
LBSU
FG%
.500
.541
3FG%
.486
.455
FT%
.750
.647
RB
31
35
TO
8
11
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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