University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Thursday, January 2
Conway, SC
6 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
4-10,2-0Sun Belt
71
at
68
Coastal Carolina
7-7,0-2Sun Belt
1
2
F
Louisiana
27
44
71
Coastal Carolina
34
34
68
Louisiana Rallies Late to Improve to 2-0 in SBC Play
1/2/2025 9:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
It was the first win under interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman
CONWAY, S.C.- A late 10-0 run capped off a second half win for the Louisiana men's basketball team on Thursday at Coastal Carolina. The Cajuns, who trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, earned their first win under interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman 71-68 to move to 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference action.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil led all scorers with 21 points, including the game-tying and go-ahead buckets down the stretch. He also led Louisiana in rebounds with seven with six steals. Michael Thomas added 16 points off the bench, one shy of tying his career-high. Kentrell Garnett also finished in double figures with 12.
The sides traded points early before the Cajuns got a little space on the scoreboard. A three by Thomas gave them an early 14-9 lead but the Chanticleers answered with an 11-1 run to jump ahead by five. A Kyran Ratliff jumper made it 20-19 but the home side responded with the next eight points to go up by nine. Louisiana responded and trimmed the deficit to four but Coastal Carolina took a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
Garnett scored five in a row to get the Cajuns back within four in the first three minutes of the half but Louisiana couldn't get closer. The Chants looked like they were going to pull away and took a 13-point lead with 12 minutes to play, but Louisiana never quit.
Trailing by 11, Christian Wright converted a three-point play and Brandon Hardy followed with a pair of free throws to get them back within two possessions. The difference remained at six with 4:21 to go when the Cajuns went on a run.
El Moutatouakkil got the rally going with a pair of free throws to make it 67-63. Thomas hit a jumper on the following possession to make it a one-score game. El Moutaouakkil stole the ball on the ensuing Chant possession before hitting a layup to tie the game at 67. With 42 seconds left and the shot clock running down, the junior hit a jumper from just behind the free throw line to put Louisiana on top for the first time since the opening 10 minutes.
Garnett iced the game with two free throws with 10 seconds left. The Chants hit a free throw with 5 seconds to play, but couldn't get the rebound after intentionally missing to seal the Cajun victory.
Louisiana looks to go 3-0 in conference play since the 2021-22 season when they take on Georgia State in Atlanta on Saturday.
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 all scorers with 21 points, including the game-tying and go-ahead buckets down the stretch. He also led Louisiana in rebounds with seven with six steals. Michael Thomas added 16 points off the bench, one shy of tying his career-high. Kentrell Garnett also finished in double figures with 12.
The sides traded points early before the Cajuns got a little space on the scoreboard. A three by Thomas gave them an early 14-9 lead but the Chanticleers answered with an 11-1 run to jump ahead by five. A Kyran Ratliff jumper made it 20-19 but the home side responded with the next eight points to go up by nine. Louisiana responded and trimmed the deficit to four but Coastal Carolina took a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
Garnett scored five in a row to get the Cajuns back within four in the first three minutes of the half but Louisiana couldn't get closer. The Chants looked like they were going to pull away and took a 13-point lead with 12 minutes to play, but Louisiana never quit.
Trailing by 11, Christian Wright converted a three-point play and Brandon Hardy followed with a pair of free throws to get them back within two possessions. The difference remained at six with 4:21 to go when the Cajuns went on a run.
El Moutatouakkil got the rally going with a pair of free throws to make it 67-63. Thomas hit a jumper on the following possession to make it a one-score game. El Moutaouakkil stole the ball on the ensuing Chant possession before hitting a layup to tie the game at 67. With 42 seconds left and the shot clock running down, the junior hit a jumper from just behind the free throw line to put Louisiana on top for the first time since the opening 10 minutes.
Garnett iced the game with two free throws with 10 seconds left. The Chants hit a free throw with 5 seconds to play, but couldn't get the rebound after intentionally missing to seal the Cajun victory.
Louisiana looks to go 3-0 in conference play since the 2021-22 season when they take on Georgia State in Atlanta on Saturday.
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
LA
CCU
FG%
.463
.468
3FG%
.250
.300
FT%
.800
.857
RB
27
31
TO
7
15
STL
13
4
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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