University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Hattiesburg, MS
7 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
11-18,8-8Sun Belt
62
at
60
Southern Miss
10-19,5-11Sun Belt
1
2
F
Louisiana
28
34
62
Southern Miss.
25
35
60
Louisiana Outlasts USM, 62-60, for Third Straight Win
2/22/2025 10:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Cajuns have won four of the last five heading into the final week of the regular season
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi - In a tight back and forth battle that saw 11 lead changes, the Louisiana men's basketball team spoiled senior day for Southern Miss with a 62-60 on Saturday in Hattiesburg. It's the third straight win for the Cajuns who improved to 4-0 against opponents the second time they've played them, with all four wins on the road.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil was the only Ragin' Cajun to finish in double figures with 10 points, all in the second half. Seven other Cajuns scored five or more points in a balanced offensive effort. Zeke Cook capped off a big week with six points and a team-high five boards. Nine Cajuns had more than one rebound on the night.
It was a slow start for Louisiana, going 2-for-18 from the field, but Southern Miss also started slowly and the game was tied 7-7 at the 11-minute mark. As the offenses finally started to find a rhythm, Chancellor White hit back-to-back threes to put the Cajuns ahead 16-13.
Kyran Ratliff connected on a dunk to put Louisiana up by five on the next possession. A 12-4 run by the Golden Eagles put them up 25-22 but Thursday's hero Kentrell Garnett's three tied the score. With the shot clock winding down in the half's final minute, Michael Thomas connected on a deep straight away three-pointer to give Louisiana a 28-25 advantage into the locker room.
Southern Miss got things going a little early in the second half to take a 31-30 lead. Moments later, Christian Wright's layup capped a 9-3 run to put the Cajuns back up by five. With Louisiana ahead 42-37 after a jumper by El Moutaouakkil, the home side responded with a 7-0 run to take a two-point lead.
Louisiana trailed 54-51 with 4:41 to go but like Thursday night never quit. London Fields got a putback to go and after a Brandon Hardy steal, Garnett hit a three in the corner to put Louisiana up for good at 56-54. With the Cajuns leading by three in the final minutes, Cook drew an offensive foul and Hardy pushed the lead to six with a three in the corner. Southern Miss made a spirited try in the final minute but their final chance slipped out of the hands of Neftali Alvarez as time expired.
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to host Arkansas State in their final home game of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Cajundome.
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 was the only Ragin' Cajun to finish in double figures with 10 points, all in the second half. Seven other Cajuns scored five or more points in a balanced offensive effort. Zeke Cook capped off a big week with six points and a team-high five boards. Nine Cajuns had more than one rebound on the night.
It was a slow start for Louisiana, going 2-for-18 from the field, but Southern Miss also started slowly and the game was tied 7-7 at the 11-minute mark. As the offenses finally started to find a rhythm, Chancellor White hit back-to-back threes to put the Cajuns ahead 16-13.
Kyran Ratliff connected on a dunk to put Louisiana up by five on the next possession. A 12-4 run by the Golden Eagles put them up 25-22 but Thursday's hero Kentrell Garnett's three tied the score. With the shot clock winding down in the half's final minute, Michael Thomas connected on a deep straight away three-pointer to give Louisiana a 28-25 advantage into the locker room.
Southern Miss got things going a little early in the second half to take a 31-30 lead. Moments later, Christian Wright's layup capped a 9-3 run to put the Cajuns back up by five. With Louisiana ahead 42-37 after a jumper by El Moutaouakkil, the home side responded with a 7-0 run to take a two-point lead.
Louisiana trailed 54-51 with 4:41 to go but like Thursday night never quit. London Fields got a putback to go and after a Brandon Hardy steal, Garnett hit a three in the corner to put Louisiana up for good at 56-54. With the Cajuns leading by three in the final minutes, Cook drew an offensive foul and Hardy pushed the lead to six with a three in the corner. Southern Miss made a spirited try in the final minute but their final chance slipped out of the hands of Neftali Alvarez as time expired.
The Ragin' Cajuns return home to host Arkansas State in their final home game of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the Cajundome.
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
USM
FG%
.377
.455
3FG%
.346
.231
FT%
.467
.773
RB
34
36
TO
11
17
STL
8
4
Game Leaders
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
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