University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Wednesday, March 6
Pensacola, Fla.
7:30 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
16-13,10-8Sun Belt
54
vs
41
Arkansas State
13-17,6-12Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Arkansas St.
9
7
7
18
41
Louisiana
18
8
16
12
54
Defense Leads Louisiana to SBC Quarterfinals
3/6/2024 9:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Cajuns advance to face Troy on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Defense dominated the day as the Louisiana women's basketball team advanced to the Sun Belt Conference quarterfinals with a 54-41 win over Arkansas State on Wednesday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Cajuns held the Red Wolves to just 30 percent from the field and allowed fewer than 10 points in each of the first three quarters in the victory.
Tamera Johnson led the offense with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting while also pulling down six rebounds. Brandi Williams finished in double figures with 10 points, including a trio from long range. Tamiah Robinson was a force on the boards with 10, matching her career high, to go along with five points and three assists.
The Cajuns defense had it going early, not allowing the Red Wolves to hit their second field goal until the 3:39 mark of the opening quarter. Johnson scored four points as Louisiana built an early eight-point lead. A 7-0 run by Arkansas State brought them back into the ballgame but Louisiana closed the quarter strong. A four-point play by Williams sparked an 8-0 run to close the quarter with the Cajuns ahead 18-9.
It was the Red Wolves who returned the favor on the defensive end in the second quarter, holding Louisiana scoreless for the first six-and-a-half minutes of play to cut the Cajun lead to two. A jumper by Johnson broke the scoreless streak and Robinson followed with a three to break the game open. Ashlyn Jones scored the final three points of the half and Louisiana led 26-16 going into the locker rooms.
A pair of buckets by Johnson to open the second half pushed the lead to 14 before the Red Wolves responded with the next five points. Leading 35-23, the Cajuns once again closed a quarter strong. It was Johnson again providing the spark with a layup, followed by an Alicia Blanton layup, and a buzzer-beater three by Williams for the 42-23 lead with a quarter to go.
Johnson opened the scoring in the final stanza to push the lead to a game-high 21 points, but the Arkansas State offense finally found some life. They answered with a 12-1 run to trim the Louisiana lead to 45-35 with 4:40 to play. Destiny Rice got the Cajuns back on track with a pair of free throws and Williams knocked down a three to end any chance of a comeback by Arkansas State down the stretch.
Louisiana advances to the SBC quarterfinals to take on Troy. Tip-off on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Pensacola Bay Center.
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.
The Cajuns held the Red Wolves to just 30 percent from the field and allowed fewer than 10 points in each of the first three quarters in the victory.
Tamera Johnson led the offense with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting while also pulling down six rebounds. Brandi Williams finished in double figures with 10 points, including a trio from long range. Tamiah Robinson was a force on the boards with 10, matching her career high, to go along with five points and three assists.
The Cajuns defense had it going early, not allowing the Red Wolves to hit their second field goal until the 3:39 mark of the opening quarter. Johnson scored four points as Louisiana built an early eight-point lead. A 7-0 run by Arkansas State brought them back into the ballgame but Louisiana closed the quarter strong. A four-point play by Williams sparked an 8-0 run to close the quarter with the Cajuns ahead 18-9.
It was the Red Wolves who returned the favor on the defensive end in the second quarter, holding Louisiana scoreless for the first six-and-a-half minutes of play to cut the Cajun lead to two. A jumper by Johnson broke the scoreless streak and Robinson followed with a three to break the game open. Ashlyn Jones scored the final three points of the half and Louisiana led 26-16 going into the locker rooms.
A pair of buckets by Johnson to open the second half pushed the lead to 14 before the Red Wolves responded with the next five points. Leading 35-23, the Cajuns once again closed a quarter strong. It was Johnson again providing the spark with a layup, followed by an Alicia Blanton layup, and a buzzer-beater three by Williams for the 42-23 lead with a quarter to go.
Johnson opened the scoring in the final stanza to push the lead to a game-high 21 points, but the Arkansas State offense finally found some life. They answered with a 12-1 run to trim the Louisiana lead to 45-35 with 4:40 to play. Destiny Rice got the Cajuns back on track with a pair of free throws and Williams knocked down a three to end any chance of a comeback by Arkansas State down the stretch.
Louisiana advances to the SBC quarterfinals to take on Troy. Tip-off on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Pensacola Bay Center.
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.
Team Stats
ASU
LA
FG%
.300
.383
3FG%
.200
.364
FT%
.600
.778
RB
33
35
TO
17
16
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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