University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, January 25
Lafayette
7 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
6-15,4-5Sun Belt
59
vs
67
Southern Miss
9-11,4-4Sun Belt
1
2
F
Southern Miss.
31
36
67
Louisiana
35
24
59
Louisiana Unable to Hang on to Late Lead Against Southern Miss
1/25/2025 10:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil scored a season-high 23 points with eight rebounds in the effort
LAFAYETTE - Despite leading for most of the game, the Louisiana men's basketball team fell to Southern Miss, 67-59, on Saturday in the Cajundome.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil had a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds in the effort. Kentrell Garnett also finished in double figures with 13 points. Kyran Ratliff added 10 rebounds off the bench while Zeke Cook had five points and five boards.
The visitors jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Cajun offense came to life. An 11-0 run, with six points by El Moutaouakkil, put the Cajuns on top. Southern Miss kept the game within two possessions and eventually took a 22-20 lead with 7:49 to play.
They led by as many as four until a pair of Garnett free throws after a technical foul tied the game at 27. Louisiana scored the final five points heading into the half for a 35-31 lead.
After trading points, baskets by Christian Wright, El Moutaouakkil, and Garnett stretched the Cajun lead to 43-36, forcing a timeout by the Golden Eagles. The visiting side responded with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 45 with 11:13 to play. El Moutaouakkil scored five straight points, pushing the Cajuns back in front at 50-45, but the Golden Eagles responded with the next six to flip the lead at 51-50.
Louisiana led 57-56 after a layup by El Moutaouakkil but Southern Miss scored 11 of the game's final 13 points to seal the win, including going 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute.
The Cajuns hit the road to face Texas State, a rematch of Thursday's game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday in San Marcos.
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 had a season-high 23 points and eight rebounds in the effort. Kentrell Garnett also finished in double figures with 13 points. Kyran Ratliff added 10 rebounds off the bench while Zeke Cook had five points and five boards.
The visitors jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Cajun offense came to life. An 11-0 run, with six points by El Moutaouakkil, put the Cajuns on top. Southern Miss kept the game within two possessions and eventually took a 22-20 lead with 7:49 to play.
They led by as many as four until a pair of Garnett free throws after a technical foul tied the game at 27. Louisiana scored the final five points heading into the half for a 35-31 lead.
After trading points, baskets by Christian Wright, El Moutaouakkil, and Garnett stretched the Cajun lead to 43-36, forcing a timeout by the Golden Eagles. The visiting side responded with a 9-2 run to tie the game at 45 with 11:13 to play. El Moutaouakkil scored five straight points, pushing the Cajuns back in front at 50-45, but the Golden Eagles responded with the next six to flip the lead at 51-50.
Louisiana led 57-56 after a layup by El Moutaouakkil but Southern Miss scored 11 of the game's final 13 points to seal the win, including going 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute.
The Cajuns hit the road to face Texas State, a rematch of Thursday's game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday in San Marcos.
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
USM
LA
FG%
.455
.348
3FG%
.267
.208
FT%
.684
.800
RB
42
31
TO
15
6
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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