University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, February 1
Conway, S.C.
12:00 p.m. (CST)
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
9-11,5-6Sun Belt
68
at
77
Coastal Carolina
15-6,6-5Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
15
18
16
19
68
Coastal Carolina
26
13
15
23
77
Coastal Finds Enough Answers to Fend Off Louisiana’s Comeback Attempt
2/1/2025 4:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ragin’ Cajuns fall behind by double figures in the first, unable to fully overcome
CONWAY, S.C. – A slow start in the first quarter proved to be detrimental once again for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team on its Carolinas road trip, unable to overcome an early double-figure deficit to Coastal Carolina in a 77-68 defeat on Saturday, February 1 at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina.
The Ragin' Cajuns (9-11, 5-6 SBC), who committed 11 turnovers in the first quarter, quickly fell behind 7-0. The Chanticleers (15-6, 6-5 SBC) rained in five three-pointers over the first 10 minutes to capture a 26-15 lead.
Erica Lafayette, who posted a career-high tying 24 points, pumped in 12 points during the second quarter as Louisiana began to chip away at Coastal's lead.
Midway through the second quarter it was Lafayette hitting back-to-back triples and then stealing an inbounds pass that led to a Nubia Beneidth layup, those efforts slicing CCU's lead to 29-27 at the 4:46 mark.
Coastal responded with what would be a common theme that protected its lead the rest of the way, answering back with a mini 5-0 run capped off by a three-pointer from Kristin Williams that upped the advantage to 34-27 by the 2:50 mark.
Lafayette found her way to the free throw line twice over the next minute and sank all four free throws both time trimming the deficit to three points, but the Chants had a responding layup the latter boosted the margin to 38-33 with 1:27 left before the break.
The teams traded jabs in the third quarter lending to UL only outscoring Coastal 16-15 in the period. The Cajuns cut their turnovers down significantly in the second half, but it was a badpass turnover that led to a breakway layup at 2:45 making it 50-44 and keeping the momentum on the Chants' side.
Unlike Thursday in Boone, the Cajuns weren't able to find a lead despite their persistent effort which carried over into the fourth quarter.
A second-chance triple by Tamiah Robinson at 7:48 closed the deficit to 57-54 and a corresponding defensive stop gave the Cajuns a chance to tie. Coastal came up with a steal and moments after took advantage of a technical foul for a quick four-point spurt that increased the lead to 61-54 with 6:56 remaining.
Louisiana was undeterred and continued its determined effort at the comeback getting baskets from Lanay Wheaton and Benedith during the six-minute mark to once again move within three points at 61-58.
Another quick answerback from Coastal followed, a Savannah Brooks jumper at 5:52 jumpstarting a game-clinching 7-0 run that was finished off by her back-breaking three-point play at 3:16 for a 68-58 lead.
Coastal led wire-to-wire, though the Cajuns created several one-possession scores in the final 25 minutes, in breaking the seventh-place tie in the SBC standings between the two teams.
Louisiana dropped its fourth consecutive road game and fell to 2-8 away from the Cajundome. The Ragin' Cajuns remain winless in now four visits to the HTC Center on the CCU campus.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Lafayette finished 6-of-13 from the floor and was 9-of-12 at the free throw line in matching her career-high points total for the third time (Loyola, Georgia State). She returned to double digits after being held to seven points at App State with her fifth 20-point effort of the season.
Wheaton notched her SBC-play best, and most points since the season opener, with 14 points generated by six field goal makes (triple included). She scored five in the first quarter as the Cajuns worked their way back in and scored six in the fourth as pressure continued to be place on the Chants.
Coastal's early advantage was gained by keeping everyone beside Lafayette and Wheaton in check including holding Benedith, coming off a career-high 22 points at App State, scoreless in the first half. Benedith wound up with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting in the second half.
The opposition shot above 45 percent a second time on the road trip as Coastal finished at 46 percent (26-of-57). The Chants ability to disrupt the Cajuns early on, forcing 17 of the 22 turnovers UL committed in the first half alone, proved advantegous.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return to the Cajundome for a four-game homestand that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 5 with a 6:00 p.m. contest against Marshall.
The homestand is Louisiana's longest of the season and keeps the team at home through February 15.
Marshall is visiting the Cajundome for the first time. The matchup with the Thundering Herd marks the Cajuns last game against an SBC eastern region team in the regular season.
Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.
The MAC-SBC Challenge contest with Miami University follows on Saturday, February 8, a game that puts the finishing touches on non-conference play for the 2024-25 season.
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.
The Ragin' Cajuns (9-11, 5-6 SBC), who committed 11 turnovers in the first quarter, quickly fell behind 7-0. The Chanticleers (15-6, 6-5 SBC) rained in five three-pointers over the first 10 minutes to capture a 26-15 lead.
Erica Lafayette, who posted a career-high tying 24 points, pumped in 12 points during the second quarter as Louisiana began to chip away at Coastal's lead.
Midway through the second quarter it was Lafayette hitting back-to-back triples and then stealing an inbounds pass that led to a Nubia Beneidth layup, those efforts slicing CCU's lead to 29-27 at the 4:46 mark.
Coastal responded with what would be a common theme that protected its lead the rest of the way, answering back with a mini 5-0 run capped off by a three-pointer from Kristin Williams that upped the advantage to 34-27 by the 2:50 mark.
Lafayette found her way to the free throw line twice over the next minute and sank all four free throws both time trimming the deficit to three points, but the Chants had a responding layup the latter boosted the margin to 38-33 with 1:27 left before the break.
The teams traded jabs in the third quarter lending to UL only outscoring Coastal 16-15 in the period. The Cajuns cut their turnovers down significantly in the second half, but it was a badpass turnover that led to a breakway layup at 2:45 making it 50-44 and keeping the momentum on the Chants' side.
Unlike Thursday in Boone, the Cajuns weren't able to find a lead despite their persistent effort which carried over into the fourth quarter.
A second-chance triple by Tamiah Robinson at 7:48 closed the deficit to 57-54 and a corresponding defensive stop gave the Cajuns a chance to tie. Coastal came up with a steal and moments after took advantage of a technical foul for a quick four-point spurt that increased the lead to 61-54 with 6:56 remaining.
Louisiana was undeterred and continued its determined effort at the comeback getting baskets from Lanay Wheaton and Benedith during the six-minute mark to once again move within three points at 61-58.
Another quick answerback from Coastal followed, a Savannah Brooks jumper at 5:52 jumpstarting a game-clinching 7-0 run that was finished off by her back-breaking three-point play at 3:16 for a 68-58 lead.
Coastal led wire-to-wire, though the Cajuns created several one-possession scores in the final 25 minutes, in breaking the seventh-place tie in the SBC standings between the two teams.
Louisiana dropped its fourth consecutive road game and fell to 2-8 away from the Cajundome. The Ragin' Cajuns remain winless in now four visits to the HTC Center on the CCU campus.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Lafayette finished 6-of-13 from the floor and was 9-of-12 at the free throw line in matching her career-high points total for the third time (Loyola, Georgia State). She returned to double digits after being held to seven points at App State with her fifth 20-point effort of the season.
Wheaton notched her SBC-play best, and most points since the season opener, with 14 points generated by six field goal makes (triple included). She scored five in the first quarter as the Cajuns worked their way back in and scored six in the fourth as pressure continued to be place on the Chants.
Coastal's early advantage was gained by keeping everyone beside Lafayette and Wheaton in check including holding Benedith, coming off a career-high 22 points at App State, scoreless in the first half. Benedith wound up with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting in the second half.
The opposition shot above 45 percent a second time on the road trip as Coastal finished at 46 percent (26-of-57). The Chants ability to disrupt the Cajuns early on, forcing 17 of the 22 turnovers UL committed in the first half alone, proved advantegous.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns return to the Cajundome for a four-game homestand that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 5 with a 6:00 p.m. contest against Marshall.
The homestand is Louisiana's longest of the season and keeps the team at home through February 15.
Marshall is visiting the Cajundome for the first time. The matchup with the Thundering Herd marks the Cajuns last game against an SBC eastern region team in the regular season.
Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.
The MAC-SBC Challenge contest with Miami University follows on Saturday, February 8, a game that puts the finishing touches on non-conference play for the 2024-25 season.
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 -
Team Stats
LA
CCU
FG%
.411
.456
3FG%
.455
.348
FT%
.739
.680
RB
33
36
TO
22
19
STL
8
11
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
9
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballGarry Brodhead, Skylah Travis, and Nubia Benedith Media Availability (Feb 26, 2025)
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Garry Brodhead Media Availability (Feb 17, 2025)
Monday, February 17
Garry Brodhead, Erica Lafayette, and Skylah Travis Media Availability (Feb 15, 2025)
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