University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Sunday, March 10
Pensacola, Fla.
2 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
54
vs
64
James Madison
Louisiana’s Cinderella Run Ends in SBC Semifinals
3/10/2024 5:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
It was Louisiana’s fourth semifinal appearance in the last five years
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Two nights after pulling off the upset of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, the Louisiana women's basketball team fell to defending champion James Madison in the semifinals, 64-54.
Destiny Rice led the way offensively with 13 points off the bench. Brandi Williams added 11 while Tamiah Robinson finished with nine points and a team-leading five rebounds.
The Dukes came out of the gates hot, connecting from deep on their first three shots for a 9-0 lead. Robinson connected on a three of her own and Tamera Johnson followed with a pair of free throws to get Louisiana back within four. James Madison closed the opening quarter strong, pushing their lead to as many as 10, and took a 19-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
Louisiana refused to go away, opening the second quarter on a 9-2 run to trim the deficit to just one. Ashlyn Jones scored four in the fun while Rice and Johnson also connected from the field. With the score 29-25 in favor of the Dukes in the final two minutes, they closed the quarter on a 4-0 run to take an eight-point lead into the half.
Out of the locker rooms they stretched their lead to 38-27 before the Ragin' Cajuns made a move. Robinson and Jaylyn James each connected on a jumper on back-to-back possessions. Rice followed a James Madison free throw with four straight points before James made her first three of the ball game to make it a one-point deficit at 39-38. After trading baskets, it was the Dukes who once again closed the quarter strong, scoring the final three points for the 47-41 lead with 10 minutes to play.
A 5-0 Duke run to open the final quarter made it an 11-point game. That margin would hold until the Ragin' Cajun offense came to life with three-and-a-half minutes to play. Williams knocked down a three before four free throws made it 58-54 with 1:23 on the clock. The offense couldn't find the basket the rest of the way as James Madison made their free throws down the stretch to pull away.
Louisiana struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 53-25. The Dukes grabbed 19 on the offensive end and led 17-0 in second chance points. The Ragin' Cajuns held the Dukes to just 1-for-8 from three-point range in the second half.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
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.
Destiny Rice led the way offensively with 13 points off the bench. Brandi Williams added 11 while Tamiah Robinson finished with nine points and a team-leading five rebounds.
The Dukes came out of the gates hot, connecting from deep on their first three shots for a 9-0 lead. Robinson connected on a three of her own and Tamera Johnson followed with a pair of free throws to get Louisiana back within four. James Madison closed the opening quarter strong, pushing their lead to as many as 10, and took a 19-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
Louisiana refused to go away, opening the second quarter on a 9-2 run to trim the deficit to just one. Ashlyn Jones scored four in the fun while Rice and Johnson also connected from the field. With the score 29-25 in favor of the Dukes in the final two minutes, they closed the quarter on a 4-0 run to take an eight-point lead into the half.
Out of the locker rooms they stretched their lead to 38-27 before the Ragin' Cajuns made a move. Robinson and Jaylyn James each connected on a jumper on back-to-back possessions. Rice followed a James Madison free throw with four straight points before James made her first three of the ball game to make it a one-point deficit at 39-38. After trading baskets, it was the Dukes who once again closed the quarter strong, scoring the final three points for the 47-41 lead with 10 minutes to play.
A 5-0 Duke run to open the final quarter made it an 11-point game. That margin would hold until the Ragin' Cajun offense came to life with three-and-a-half minutes to play. Williams knocked down a three before four free throws made it 58-54 with 1:23 on the clock. The offense couldn't find the basket the rest of the way as James Madison made their free throws down the stretch to pull away.
Louisiana struggled on the boards, getting outrebounded 53-25. The Dukes grabbed 19 on the offensive end and led 17-0 in second chance points. The Ragin' Cajuns held the Dukes to just 1-for-8 from three-point range in the second half.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsWBB), Facebook (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Women's Basketball.
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.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
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