University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Wednesday, February 26
Lafayette
5:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
13-14,9-8Sun Belt
55
vs
48
South Alabama
6-22,2-15Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
South Alabama
18
12
12
6
48
Louisiana
12
13
15
15
55
Cajuns Defense Doubles Down on Jaguars in Second Half
2/26/2025 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Louisiana surrenders only two field goals the final 13-plus minutes to overcome South Alabama
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team fed off of its defense down the stretch in the second half to mount a comeback and defeat South Alabama 55-48 in the team's 2024-25 season home finale at the Cajundome on Wednesday, February 26.
The Ragin' Cajuns (13-14, 9-8 SBC) held South Alabama (6-22, 2-15 SBC) to just two field goals made over the final 13-plus minutes of the game, ending the night on a 20-6 run.
The defensive lockdown allowed UL to climb out of a 42-35 deficit the squad faced with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Tamiah Robinson's pullup jumper at 2:53 and second chance free throw makes from Skylah Travis and Nubia Benedith trimmed the Jaguars' edge to 42-40 as the third quarter expired.
Louisiana's defense then completely swallowed up USA's offense, holding the visitors without a field goal make until 43 seconds remained in the game. The Cajuns forced nine consecutive field goal misses over a nine-plus minute stretch in the fourth quarter.
The Cajuns pulled ahead for good with a pair of Erica Lafayette free throws at 6:15 providing a 44-43 edge, then on the next possession Travis, who notched a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double, provided the first glimpse of separation when she drove the lane for a layup at 5:50.
After the media timeout it was Benedith, who scored a game-high 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, delivering a clutch putback basket at 3:04 and then scoring again at 2:37 after a steal by Lafayette to extend the lead to 50-44.
Lafayette's driving layup at 1:09 extended the game-sealing run to 6-0 and its largest lead at that point in time at 52-44. Rachel Legget gave USA its first field goal of the fourth at 0:43 to close within two possessions, but three Tamiah Robinson free throws stretched the Cajuns lead to 55-46 with 0:17 remaining.
The defensive turnaround in the second half was the change of pace Louisiana had been searching for nearly two quarters. The Jaguars took the lead at 5:39 of the first quarter and held an 18-12 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Cajuns weren't able to chip away until late in the third, getting no closer than five points and trailing 38-29 after Chrysta Narcisse's three-point play at 7:05 of the third.
With the win Louisiana broke a two-game losing streak, completed the season sweep of South Alabama and posted its 11th win at the Cajundome adding to the program's highest-home win total since the 2021-22 season.
The Ragin' Cajuns kept pace with App State and Old Dominion for a spot in the Nos. 5-6 seed range in the Sun Belt Tournament, which comes with three byes in the event. The teams sit in a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference standings heading into the final day of regular season play on Friday.
Benedith recorded her ninth double-figure scoring output in SBC play, and the seventh in the last 10 games overall. Travis posted her third double-double in February and collected at least eight rebounds for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana concludes regular season action in the 2024-25 season on Friday, February 28 on the road in Hattiesburg, Mississippi taking on Southern Miss at 5:00 p.m. inside Reed Green Coliseum.
The Ragin' Cajuns will attempt to capture the season sweep for the first time since the Golden Eagles joined the SBC in the 2022-23 season. UL built a 20-point halftime edge and topped USM 77-68 in the season's first matchup back on January 11 at the Cajundome.
Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Varsity Network (stream only through the app) and CajunStats.com.
Following the trip to Hattiesburg is the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, being held at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida from March 4-10. Louisiana will receive its official assignment and path for the event following the conclusion of the last regular season game on Friday, February 28.
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 (13-14, 9-8 SBC) held South Alabama (6-22, 2-15 SBC) to just two field goals made over the final 13-plus minutes of the game, ending the night on a 20-6 run.
The defensive lockdown allowed UL to climb out of a 42-35 deficit the squad faced with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Tamiah Robinson's pullup jumper at 2:53 and second chance free throw makes from Skylah Travis and Nubia Benedith trimmed the Jaguars' edge to 42-40 as the third quarter expired.
Louisiana's defense then completely swallowed up USA's offense, holding the visitors without a field goal make until 43 seconds remained in the game. The Cajuns forced nine consecutive field goal misses over a nine-plus minute stretch in the fourth quarter.
The Cajuns pulled ahead for good with a pair of Erica Lafayette free throws at 6:15 providing a 44-43 edge, then on the next possession Travis, who notched a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double, provided the first glimpse of separation when she drove the lane for a layup at 5:50.
After the media timeout it was Benedith, who scored a game-high 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, delivering a clutch putback basket at 3:04 and then scoring again at 2:37 after a steal by Lafayette to extend the lead to 50-44.
Lafayette's driving layup at 1:09 extended the game-sealing run to 6-0 and its largest lead at that point in time at 52-44. Rachel Legget gave USA its first field goal of the fourth at 0:43 to close within two possessions, but three Tamiah Robinson free throws stretched the Cajuns lead to 55-46 with 0:17 remaining.
The defensive turnaround in the second half was the change of pace Louisiana had been searching for nearly two quarters. The Jaguars took the lead at 5:39 of the first quarter and held an 18-12 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Cajuns weren't able to chip away until late in the third, getting no closer than five points and trailing 38-29 after Chrysta Narcisse's three-point play at 7:05 of the third.
With the win Louisiana broke a two-game losing streak, completed the season sweep of South Alabama and posted its 11th win at the Cajundome adding to the program's highest-home win total since the 2021-22 season.
The Ragin' Cajuns kept pace with App State and Old Dominion for a spot in the Nos. 5-6 seed range in the Sun Belt Tournament, which comes with three byes in the event. The teams sit in a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference standings heading into the final day of regular season play on Friday.
Benedith recorded her ninth double-figure scoring output in SBC play, and the seventh in the last 10 games overall. Travis posted her third double-double in February and collected at least eight rebounds for the fourth straight game.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana concludes regular season action in the 2024-25 season on Friday, February 28 on the road in Hattiesburg, Mississippi taking on Southern Miss at 5:00 p.m. inside Reed Green Coliseum.
The Ragin' Cajuns will attempt to capture the season sweep for the first time since the Golden Eagles joined the SBC in the 2022-23 season. UL built a 20-point halftime edge and topped USM 77-68 in the season's first matchup back on January 11 at the Cajundome.
Live coverage is available on ESPN+, the Varsity Network (stream only through the app) and CajunStats.com.
Following the trip to Hattiesburg is the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, being held at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida from March 4-10. Louisiana will receive its official assignment and path for the event following the conclusion of the last regular season game on Friday, February 28.
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
USA
LA
FG%
.362
.362
3FG%
.200
.167
FT%
.714
.706
RB
32
37
TO
19
12
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballGarry Brodhead Media Availability (Oct 30, 2025)
Thursday, October 30
Garry Brodhead Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Garry Brodhead, Skylah Travis, and Nubia Benedith Media Availability (Feb 26, 2025)
Thursday, February 27
Garry Brodhead Media Availability (Feb 24, 2025)
Monday, February 24
