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
| Team | 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
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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.
Â
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.
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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.
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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
/ Women's BasketballMonday, February 23
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