Louisiana Faces JMU in Sun Belt Home Opener

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team returns to the Cajundome on Thursday, January 2 for its Sun Belt Conference home opener that's set to begin at 6:00 p.m. vs. James Madison.

Thursday's contest starts a weekend set at the Cajundome which continues on Saturday against Georgia State.

UL (5-5, 1-0 SBC) seeks to build upon its highly successful SBC-opening win on the road on Sunday at Georgia Southern, searches for its first win over JMU and aims to claim its first 2-0 SBC start since the 2015-16 season.

For the first time since the Dukes (9-4, 1-0 SBC) joined the Sun Belt in 2022-23, the matchup between the two programs takes place at the Cajundome.

The Ragin' Cajuns recent success has been driven by Erica Lafayette, who scored 17 points in her SBC debut, Aasia Sam who has scored her season-high the last two regular season games and Jasmine Matthews who emerged last weekend with 18 points in the Dillard exhibition and 15 points at Georgia Southern.

JMU tops the SBC in the NET rankings (No. 48) and is led by career 1,000-point scorer Peyton McDaniel (13.8 ppg) and Marshall transfer Ro Scott who's averaging 12.8 points off the bench. The Dukes held Troy to its season-low of 52 points on 30 percent shooting on SBC Opening Day.

GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (5-5, 1-0 SBC) vs. JAMES MADISON (9-4, 1-0 SBC)
Date/Time: Thursday, January 2, 2025 / 6:00 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)

Radio: The GOAT 103.3 FM/1420 AM
Talent: Dawson Eiserloh

TV: ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (pxp), Byron Starks (analyst)

Live Stats: CajunStats.com
Social Updates: @RaginCajunsWBB | #GeauxCajuns

Series Record: James Madison leads, 4-0
In Lafayette: First Meeting
Streak: JMU, +4

BOUNCE PASSES

Louisiana plays its SBC home opener and seeks its first 2-0 start to league play since the 2015-16 season.
The Cajuns shot a season-high 56 percent and held Georgia Southern to its lowest percentage in over a month (32 percent) in capturing a 68-57 win on Sunday, December 29 in the SBC opener in Statesboro, Georgia.
After trips to Harrisonburg the past two seasons, Louisiana hosts James Madison for the first time since the Dukes joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2022-23.
The Cajuns seek their first win in the all-time series with JMU, the Dukes holding a 4-0 edge (3-0 in SBC era).
Louisiana sports a 4-1 record at the Cajundome with the lone defeat coming against SEC-foe Auburn.
UL returns home after picking up its first road win of the season, accomplished with only eight players available. It was the second win, adding to the Dec. 7 win vs. Rice, in the same shorthanded situation.
Erica Lafayette, who's scored double figures in four straight games, produced 17 points in her SBC debut.
Aasia Sam has stepped up in the recent shorthanded situation, averaging 10.5 points the past two outings.
UL made at least 27 field goals and held foes to 32 percent shooting or lower both contests last weekend.
Louisiana saw a season-best four players score in double figures on Dec. 18 vs. Auburn. Aasia Sam, who became the team's eighth graduate player after receiving her degree on Dec. 20, produced a season-high 10 points.
UL held its first five foes to 60 or below, has yielded 70-plus only once and is holding foes to 60.0 ppg so far.
The Ragin' Cajuns rank Top 30 nationally in turnovers forced (22.1), turning the opposition over 20-plus times in eight of 10 games, including forcing No. 4 LSU into its season-high tying 21 turnovers.
The Cajuns converted 47 percent of their first 53 attempts from three-point range, which ranked No. 1 nationally.
Louisiana has experience on its side with a combined nine players who are either a graduate or senior.
UL led the SBC in scoring defense – and ranked Top 60 nationally – holding foes below 60 ppg the last two seasons.
SBC Championship all-tournament selection Tamiah Robinson, the team leader in assists (69) last season, now takes full control of the point guard position.
Louisiana was picked 5th in the SBC preseason poll and Jaylyn James was a preseason all-conference selection.

UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns remain at the Cajundome to complete a weekend home SBC set on Saturday, January 4 with a 1:00 p.m. contest against Georgia State. Admission is free and open to the public

It's the first meeting with GSU since a 54-41 Cajuns win on December 29, 2022 at the Cajundome. The Panthers were not on UL's schedule last season.

The GSU contest marks the first of three Saturday outings at the Cajundome in the month of January.

Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM) and CajunStats.com.

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 -

Louisiana Faces JMU in Sun Belt Home Opener

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Players Mentioned

Jaylyn James

Erica Lafayette

Jasmine Matthews

Tamiah Robinson

Aasia Sam

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University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Louisiana Faces JMU in Sun Belt Home Opener

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Players Mentioned

Jaylyn James

Erica Lafayette

Jasmine Matthews

Tamiah Robinson

Aasia Sam

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