University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, December 22
Houston, Texas
7 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
7-5,0-0Sun Belt
84
at
67
Rice
6-7,0-0AAC
1
2
F
Louisiana
40
44
84
Rice
26
41
67
Louisiana Leads Start to Finish in Convincing Win at Rice
12/22/2023 10:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Six Cajuns finished in double figures led by Kobe Julien’s 19
HOUSTON, Texas – The Louisiana men's basketball team never trailed in an 84-67 win at Rice on Friday night. The Cajuns had six players score in double figures in their first true road win of the year.
Kobe Julien led all scorers with 19 points with five rebounds and four assists. Joe Charles was a force in the paint with 16 rebounds, a career-high, and 11 points for his fifth double-double of the season. He also had four steals and three blocks in the win.
Blake Butler added 15 points off the bench with four boards. Kentrell Garnett finished with 12 points while Themus Fulks scored 10 with five assists and four rebounds. Hosana Kitenge also finished in double figures with 12 points and four rebounds.
The Cajuns had the three-ball working early and often. Julien and Garnett each hit from deep on the first two possessions and Kitenge followed with a layup for the 8-0 lead. After the Owls cut the lead in half, Charles was good on a three and pushed the lead back to seven.
The onslaught continued from there with Garnett, Charles, and Butler all hitting from deep for a 9-0 run and a 20-5 lead. The sides exchanged points before Brandon Hardy scored five straight and ballooned the lead to 17. Rice chipped away at the free throw line and sent the game into the half with the Cajuns leading 40-26.
Out of the locker room, the Owls went on a run and cut the Cajun lead down to just six with 16:30 to go. The Cajuns responded quickly with a 9-0 run and regained a sizeable cushion at 57-42.
The home side refused to go away, eventually trimming the lead down to eight with just over two minutes to go. The Cajuns never blinked, scoring the game's final nine points, including seven from the free throw line, for the win.
The team dominated on the boards, 41-28, including 14 on the offensive end. The team took care of the ball, only turning it over nine times.
The Cajuns start their Sun Belt Conference title defense on December 30 at Marshall.
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).
Kobe Julien led all scorers with 19 points with five rebounds and four assists. Joe Charles was a force in the paint with 16 rebounds, a career-high, and 11 points for his fifth double-double of the season. He also had four steals and three blocks in the win.
Blake Butler added 15 points off the bench with four boards. Kentrell Garnett finished with 12 points while Themus Fulks scored 10 with five assists and four rebounds. Hosana Kitenge also finished in double figures with 12 points and four rebounds.
The Cajuns had the three-ball working early and often. Julien and Garnett each hit from deep on the first two possessions and Kitenge followed with a layup for the 8-0 lead. After the Owls cut the lead in half, Charles was good on a three and pushed the lead back to seven.
The onslaught continued from there with Garnett, Charles, and Butler all hitting from deep for a 9-0 run and a 20-5 lead. The sides exchanged points before Brandon Hardy scored five straight and ballooned the lead to 17. Rice chipped away at the free throw line and sent the game into the half with the Cajuns leading 40-26.
Out of the locker room, the Owls went on a run and cut the Cajun lead down to just six with 16:30 to go. The Cajuns responded quickly with a 9-0 run and regained a sizeable cushion at 57-42.
The home side refused to go away, eventually trimming the lead down to eight with just over two minutes to go. The Cajuns never blinked, scoring the game's final nine points, including seven from the free throw line, for the win.
The team dominated on the boards, 41-28, including 14 on the offensive end. The team took care of the ball, only turning it over nine times.
The Cajuns start their Sun Belt Conference title defense on December 30 at Marshall.
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
Rice
FG%
.492
.382
3FG%
.464
.423
FT%
.786
.778
RB
41
28
TO
9
12
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
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