University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
6-5,0-0Sun Belt
McNeese State
10-2,0-0Southland
Louisiana Falls in Hard Fought Battle at McNeese
12/17/2023 6:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Garnett led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 19 points
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Louisiana men's basketball battled but ultimately fell to McNeese, 74-72, Sunday at The Legacy Center.
Kentrell Garnett led the way for Louisiana (6-5) as he scored 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting including four 3-pointers. Hosana Kitenge, who celebrated his birthday, scored a career-high 16 points and was perfect on all six of his attempts from the field.
Louisiana took a 33-28 lead into the locker room after trailing for most of the first half. The Ragin' Cajuns took an eight-point lead after going on a 13-1 run sparked by Garnett, who scored eight of the team's 13 points over the 4:04 run.
Coming out of the break, Louisiana withstood an 8-0 run by the Cowboys that saw McNeese take a 35-33 lead before Kitenge and Kobe Julien helped the Cajuns hold a 41-37 advantage at the first media timeout.
The Cajuns led 45-40 with 12:08 remaining before McNeese was called for three technical fouls and had three players ejected. Garnett converted on five of the six technical free throws and Blake Butler hit a step back jumper to give Louisiana a 12-point lead.
The Cowboys (10-2) rallied behind a 19-4 run that spanned over 4:18 to give them a 61-59 lead. With 3:54 remaining and the Cajuns trailing by four, Joe Charles buried back-to-back 3-pointers to put Louisiana ahead by two, 70-68.
Themus Fulks hit a pair of free throws with 1:22 left before DJ Richards hit a 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining. Louisiana had one final attempt as Charles attempted a 24-foot three as time expired.
The Ragin' Cajuns return to action Dec. 22 as they head to Houston to take on Rice at 7 p.m.
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.
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).
