University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, January 20
Lafayette
2:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
6-10,2-5Sun Belt
57
vs
65
Troy
9-8,6-1Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Troy
14
12
24
15
65
Louisiana
17
16
16
8
57
Shorthanded Cajuns Give Gutsy Effort Against Troy
1/20/2024 6:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Down eight players, UL led at halftime and was within two possessions with two minutes remaining
LAFAYETTE – A shorthanded Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team, missing eight players with either illness or injury, led nearly the entire first half and was deadlocked with red-hot Troy with eight-plus minutes remaining before the visiting Trojans made a late push to claim a 65-57 win on Saturday, January 20 at the Cajundome.
Sparked by three treys from Brandi Williams and a combined 13 points from Tamiah Robinson and Aasia Sam, the Ragin' Cajuns (6-10, 2-5 SBC) built a 33-26 halftime advantage – seemingly on track to pull off the incredible turnaround in the rematch after dropping a 46-point decision in Troy a week earlier.
Even though the Trojans (9-8, 6-1 SBC) stormed out of the locker room with nine points in less than two minutes to draw even at 35-all by the 8:24 mark of the third, Louisiana stayed in step. The Cajuns hit five field goals every time a tie was created over the next five minutes, closing with Nubia Benedith's layup at 2:49 that made it 45-43.
Troy's first true scoring run of the contest followed, Nia Daniel hitting a triple at 2:40 to start a 7-0 run for a 50-45 lead just inside of a minute left in the third. The Cajuns battled back to put themselves in a position to avenge last week's loss, a Uniyah Franklin layup and Sam's buzzer beater trimming the deficit to 50-49.
Williams drove to the hoop for a layup at 8:48 of the fourth quarter to forge a 51-all tie, but the Cajuns drew hard luck on the offensive end the next six minutes – the next field goal make wouldn't come until 2:05 remained – and the Trojans took full advantage.
Troy immediately capitalized after Williams equalizer, scoring on three straight possessions ending with a Makayia Hallmon left-wing jumper at 6:54 that stretched the visitors' advantage to 57-51.
It took nearly 34-plus minutes before the Trojans were finally able to shake off the Cajuns, a critical three-point play from Tai'sheka Porchia at 5:34 upping the advantage to 61-52.
Williams hit her fourth and final three-pointer with 2:05 left to play making it a two-possession game at 61-55. The Trojans spoiled the spirited effort by the Cajuns getting a basket from Daniel at 1:40 and then forcing a turnover that led to a Hallmon basket at 1:03 bringing the margin to double figures.
Louisiana played the game with seven players out with illness and starting point guard Destiny Rice out with a knee injury. Despite the adversity a second straight game, the Cajuns played with the outcome hanging in the balance late in the fourth quarter (trailed ULM by one point with 1:24 remaining on Thursday).
The Cajuns saw seven players convert multiple field goals and shot 45 percent (23-of-51), marking the fifth time in seven SBC games shooting 40-plus. UL connected on six three-pointers and limited the Trojans to only one make from beyond the arc.
Williams produced a team-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting which included a 4-of-5 showing from three-point range. Alicia Blanton contributed a season-high nine points, Sam and Robinson each delivered eight points and Franklin scored seven.
In picking up their sixth straight win the Trojans shot 46 percent (28-of-61) and benefitted from 15 offensive rebounds which led to a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points. Daniel (23) and Porchia (19) combined for 42 points accounting for 65 percent of Troy's scoring.
Troy upped its series win streak to four games, picking up a sweep of Louisiana for the second straight season. Saturday's win allowed the Trojans to take hold a 5-4 lead at the Cajundome in the Garry Brodhead era.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana moves to the back half of its January-ending, four-game homestand next week welcoming Coastal Carolina and Texas State to the Cajundome from January 25-27.
The second stage of the homestand starts with a 5:00 p.m. tip vs. Coastal Carolina on Thursday, January 25 followed by a 2:00 p.m. contest vs. Texas State on Saturday, January 27.
The largest student organization in attendance on Thursday will receive a check from head coach Garry Brodhead. The UL Athletics Department is designating Saturday's game as Louisiana Salutes highlighted by a halftime performance by the All-Star Stunt Dogs.
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.
Sparked by three treys from Brandi Williams and a combined 13 points from Tamiah Robinson and Aasia Sam, the Ragin' Cajuns (6-10, 2-5 SBC) built a 33-26 halftime advantage – seemingly on track to pull off the incredible turnaround in the rematch after dropping a 46-point decision in Troy a week earlier.
Even though the Trojans (9-8, 6-1 SBC) stormed out of the locker room with nine points in less than two minutes to draw even at 35-all by the 8:24 mark of the third, Louisiana stayed in step. The Cajuns hit five field goals every time a tie was created over the next five minutes, closing with Nubia Benedith's layup at 2:49 that made it 45-43.
Troy's first true scoring run of the contest followed, Nia Daniel hitting a triple at 2:40 to start a 7-0 run for a 50-45 lead just inside of a minute left in the third. The Cajuns battled back to put themselves in a position to avenge last week's loss, a Uniyah Franklin layup and Sam's buzzer beater trimming the deficit to 50-49.
Williams drove to the hoop for a layup at 8:48 of the fourth quarter to forge a 51-all tie, but the Cajuns drew hard luck on the offensive end the next six minutes – the next field goal make wouldn't come until 2:05 remained – and the Trojans took full advantage.
Troy immediately capitalized after Williams equalizer, scoring on three straight possessions ending with a Makayia Hallmon left-wing jumper at 6:54 that stretched the visitors' advantage to 57-51.
It took nearly 34-plus minutes before the Trojans were finally able to shake off the Cajuns, a critical three-point play from Tai'sheka Porchia at 5:34 upping the advantage to 61-52.
Williams hit her fourth and final three-pointer with 2:05 left to play making it a two-possession game at 61-55. The Trojans spoiled the spirited effort by the Cajuns getting a basket from Daniel at 1:40 and then forcing a turnover that led to a Hallmon basket at 1:03 bringing the margin to double figures.
Louisiana played the game with seven players out with illness and starting point guard Destiny Rice out with a knee injury. Despite the adversity a second straight game, the Cajuns played with the outcome hanging in the balance late in the fourth quarter (trailed ULM by one point with 1:24 remaining on Thursday).
The Cajuns saw seven players convert multiple field goals and shot 45 percent (23-of-51), marking the fifth time in seven SBC games shooting 40-plus. UL connected on six three-pointers and limited the Trojans to only one make from beyond the arc.
Williams produced a team-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting which included a 4-of-5 showing from three-point range. Alicia Blanton contributed a season-high nine points, Sam and Robinson each delivered eight points and Franklin scored seven.
In picking up their sixth straight win the Trojans shot 46 percent (28-of-61) and benefitted from 15 offensive rebounds which led to a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points. Daniel (23) and Porchia (19) combined for 42 points accounting for 65 percent of Troy's scoring.
Troy upped its series win streak to four games, picking up a sweep of Louisiana for the second straight season. Saturday's win allowed the Trojans to take hold a 5-4 lead at the Cajundome in the Garry Brodhead era.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana moves to the back half of its January-ending, four-game homestand next week welcoming Coastal Carolina and Texas State to the Cajundome from January 25-27.
The second stage of the homestand starts with a 5:00 p.m. tip vs. Coastal Carolina on Thursday, January 25 followed by a 2:00 p.m. contest vs. Texas State on Saturday, January 27.
The largest student organization in attendance on Thursday will receive a check from head coach Garry Brodhead. The UL Athletics Department is designating Saturday's game as Louisiana Salutes highlighted by a halftime performance by the All-Star Stunt Dogs.
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 -
Team Stats
TROY
LA
FG%
.459
.451
3FG%
.125
.375
FT%
.615
.625
RB
41
24
TO
15
16
STL
7
4
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
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