University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, November 22
Lafayette
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
2-1,0-0Sun Belt
60
vs
55
Nicholls
3-2,0-0Southland
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholls | 5 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 55 |
| Louisiana | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 60 |
Benedith and James Key Louisiana’s Win Over Nicholls
11/22/2024 10:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Duo provides lift off the bench in Ragin’ Cajuns victorious return to play
LAFAYETTE – Nubia Benedith and Jaylyn James combined for 29 points off the bench, their impact evident in each quarter, to lead the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team to a 60-55 win over Nicholls on Friday, November 22 at the Cajundome.
Immediately upon entering in the first quarter it was James collecting a steal that led to a basket by Benedith at 5:49 which gave Louisiana a 3-2 edge – and the Cajuns (2-1) never trailed again, leading for the final 35-plus minutes.
The duo later combined for a five-point spurt, capped off by Benedith's first triple of the night which increased UL's lead to 10-2 by 2:40. The Cajuns defense yielded just two field goals in the opening stanza in building a 14-5 lead.
The Colonels (3-2) reeled off a 7-0 run early in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 17-15, but Louisiana had a quick response with James draining a three-pointer at 5:48 to start an 8-0 run that increased the lead to 25-15.
Benedith's second three-point make at 2:00 returned the lead to double figures at 28-17 and ensured the Colonels would face a sizeable halftime deficit.
Twice in the third quarter Benedith delivered a response to a push by Nicholls. Her jumper at 6:53 answered a Colonels triple and upped the lead to 34-30, then after another triple by the visitors she landed one of her own at 5:43 to stretch the Cajuns lead to 37-33.
James steered UL to the finish line by scoring a three-pointer at 4:32 of the third to stretch the lead to 42-33. In the fourth her second-chance basket at 8:37 extended UL's quarter-opening run to 4-0 for a 50-38 edge and later she sealed the win with four free throws in the final three minutes, the latter two coming at 0:16 after Nicholls sliced the lead to 56-55.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The production from Benedith (13 points) and James (16 points) led Louisiana to a 31-13 advantage in bench points. The duo combined for five three-point makes, with Benedith successful on all three of her attempts.
Louisiana out-rebounded Nicholls 36-31 paced by a game-high 12 rebounds from Kamryn Jones. It was a key offensive rebound by Jones in the fourth quarter that led to a putback with 3:01 remaining to make it 52-48 and widening the gap enough to prevent the Colonels from ever tying the contest.
Jones added 14 points, netting her first double-double of the season, which gave the Cajuns three double-figure scorers. Ashlyn Jones scored eight points giving UL a near fourth scorer in double digits.
Nicholls held a 22-19 advantage in field goal makes, but the Cajuns offset it with a 16-5 edge in free throw makes. James was perfect 6-of-6 and Ashlyn Jones finished 6-of-9 to lead the efforts at the charity stripe.
Friday's contest ended a two-week break from play for Louisiana and the win marked a second straight since the heartbreaking season-opening loss at Northern Illinois. Preseason All-SBC pick James made her season debut.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana concludes its current homestand on Tuesday, November 26 facing former Sun Belt Conference foe and I-10 neighbor New Orleans in a 6:00 p.m. contest at the Cajundome.
The Ragin' Cajuns carry a nine-game series win streak over the Privateers into the matchup, which marks UNO's first trip to the Cajundome since November 2021. Since the 2003-04 season, UL has won 19 of the last 21 meetings and is 6-0 vs. UNO with Garry Brodhead.
Live coverage of the matchup with UNO is available on ESPN+ and The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM.
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.
Immediately upon entering in the first quarter it was James collecting a steal that led to a basket by Benedith at 5:49 which gave Louisiana a 3-2 edge – and the Cajuns (2-1) never trailed again, leading for the final 35-plus minutes.
The duo later combined for a five-point spurt, capped off by Benedith's first triple of the night which increased UL's lead to 10-2 by 2:40. The Cajuns defense yielded just two field goals in the opening stanza in building a 14-5 lead.
The Colonels (3-2) reeled off a 7-0 run early in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 17-15, but Louisiana had a quick response with James draining a three-pointer at 5:48 to start an 8-0 run that increased the lead to 25-15.
Benedith's second three-point make at 2:00 returned the lead to double figures at 28-17 and ensured the Colonels would face a sizeable halftime deficit.
Twice in the third quarter Benedith delivered a response to a push by Nicholls. Her jumper at 6:53 answered a Colonels triple and upped the lead to 34-30, then after another triple by the visitors she landed one of her own at 5:43 to stretch the Cajuns lead to 37-33.
James steered UL to the finish line by scoring a three-pointer at 4:32 of the third to stretch the lead to 42-33. In the fourth her second-chance basket at 8:37 extended UL's quarter-opening run to 4-0 for a 50-38 edge and later she sealed the win with four free throws in the final three minutes, the latter two coming at 0:16 after Nicholls sliced the lead to 56-55.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The production from Benedith (13 points) and James (16 points) led Louisiana to a 31-13 advantage in bench points. The duo combined for five three-point makes, with Benedith successful on all three of her attempts.
Louisiana out-rebounded Nicholls 36-31 paced by a game-high 12 rebounds from Kamryn Jones. It was a key offensive rebound by Jones in the fourth quarter that led to a putback with 3:01 remaining to make it 52-48 and widening the gap enough to prevent the Colonels from ever tying the contest.
Jones added 14 points, netting her first double-double of the season, which gave the Cajuns three double-figure scorers. Ashlyn Jones scored eight points giving UL a near fourth scorer in double digits.
Nicholls held a 22-19 advantage in field goal makes, but the Cajuns offset it with a 16-5 edge in free throw makes. James was perfect 6-of-6 and Ashlyn Jones finished 6-of-9 to lead the efforts at the charity stripe.
Friday's contest ended a two-week break from play for Louisiana and the win marked a second straight since the heartbreaking season-opening loss at Northern Illinois. Preseason All-SBC pick James made her season debut.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana concludes its current homestand on Tuesday, November 26 facing former Sun Belt Conference foe and I-10 neighbor New Orleans in a 6:00 p.m. contest at the Cajundome.
The Ragin' Cajuns carry a nine-game series win streak over the Privateers into the matchup, which marks UNO's first trip to the Cajundome since November 2021. Since the 2003-04 season, UL has won 19 of the last 21 meetings and is 6-0 vs. UNO with Garry Brodhead.
Live coverage of the matchup with UNO is available on ESPN+ and The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM.
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 -
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Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballTeam Stats
NichSt
LA
FG%
.400
.380
3FG%
.273
.545
FT%
.625
.696
RB
31
36
TO
24
24
STL
5
8
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
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