University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, December 22
Lafayette
2 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-10,1-0Sun Belt
56
vs
64
McNeese
6-5,0-0Southland
1
2
F
McNeese
28
36
64
Louisiana
27
29
56
Louisiana Falls to McNeese in 100th Meeting Between Schools
12/22/2024 6:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
It was the debut of interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman
LAFAYETTE - In a back-and-forth battle that saw 18 lead changes, the Louisiana men's basketball team fell to McNeese, 64-56, on Sunday in the Cajundome. It was the 100th all-time meeting between the schools, a series led by Louisiana 63-37.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil led the Cajuns with 14 points and eight rebounds. Kentrell Garnett added 13 points and four rebounds, hitting three from long range. Brandon Hardy also finished in double figures with 10 points in just his fourth game of the year.
The Cowboys scored the first six points of the afternoon before Louisiana rallied. Kyndall Davis answered with a three to spark an 8-0 run that ended with the Cajuns ahead by two. Garnett's back-to-back threes made it 14-9 Louisiana before both sides started trading points. McNeese stretched the lead to seven at 28-21 but Louisiana closed the half on a 6-0 run heading into the locker room.
Trailing by four at 40-36, the Cajun offense came to life. Hardy connected on a three and Garnett hit from the wing after a Kyran Ratliff block to retake the lead. The defense forced a 10-second violation before a bucket by Michael Thomas for a four-point lead. McNeese scored the next six to go back in front but a Thomas three pushed the Cajuns ahead again at 47-46.
Hardy connected on a tough baseline jumper to make it 51-48, but the Cowboys responded with the next four points. The sides traded the lead three times before McNeese finally took a two-point lead with 2:26 to go. Louisiana went cold down the stretch, only making one free throw the rest of the way as the Cowboys iced the game from the free throw line.
Louisiana is off until January 2 when they head to Coastal Carolina to resume Sun Belt Conference play.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
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).
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil led the Cajuns with 14 points and eight rebounds. Kentrell Garnett added 13 points and four rebounds, hitting three from long range. Brandon Hardy also finished in double figures with 10 points in just his fourth game of the year.
The Cowboys scored the first six points of the afternoon before Louisiana rallied. Kyndall Davis answered with a three to spark an 8-0 run that ended with the Cajuns ahead by two. Garnett's back-to-back threes made it 14-9 Louisiana before both sides started trading points. McNeese stretched the lead to seven at 28-21 but Louisiana closed the half on a 6-0 run heading into the locker room.
Trailing by four at 40-36, the Cajun offense came to life. Hardy connected on a three and Garnett hit from the wing after a Kyran Ratliff block to retake the lead. The defense forced a 10-second violation before a bucket by Michael Thomas for a four-point lead. McNeese scored the next six to go back in front but a Thomas three pushed the Cajuns ahead again at 47-46.
Hardy connected on a tough baseline jumper to make it 51-48, but the Cowboys responded with the next four points. The sides traded the lead three times before McNeese finally took a two-point lead with 2:26 to go. Louisiana went cold down the stretch, only making one free throw the rest of the way as the Cowboys iced the game from the free throw line.
Louisiana is off until January 2 when they head to Coastal Carolina to resume Sun Belt Conference play.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
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
McN
LA
FG%
.417
.407
3FG%
.063
.333
FT%
.765
.667
RB
39
32
TO
8
13
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
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