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
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 -
Team 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
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballGarry Brodhead Media Availability (Oct 30, 2025)
Thursday, October 30
Garry Brodhead Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Garry Brodhead, Skylah Travis, and Nubia Benedith Media Availability (Feb 26, 2025)
Thursday, February 27
Garry Brodhead Media Availability (Feb 24, 2025)
Monday, February 24
