University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Friday, February 28
Hattiesburg, Miss.
5:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
13-15,9-9Sun Belt
53
at
64
Southern Miss
10-20,5-13Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
15
15
12
11
53
Southern Miss.
16
14
15
19
64
Cajuns Subdued by Lady Eagles in Regular Season Finale
2/28/2025 9:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Louisiana unable to separate early in the second half, Southern Miss takes advantage
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – With the game up for grabs early in the third quarter the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team left the door open for Southern Miss to hang around and take over to claim a 64-53 win on Friday, February 28 in the regular season finale at Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
After a 30-all stalemate in the first half, the Ragin' Cajuns (13-15, 9-9 SBC) had a golden opportunity to build a sizeable lead at the start of the third quarter as the Lady Eagles (10-20, 5-13 SBC) missed six of their first seven shots during the first five minutes out of the break.
Louisiana, though, missed four good looks at the basket with the game still knotted at 30-all over the first two minutes of the third and missed the chance to put USM back on its heels.
As a result, a combined three straight makes from Erica Lafayette and Lanay Wheaton only advanced to Ragin' Cajuns lead to 36-32 by the 6:17 mark.
Lafayette continued filing up the basket with her baseline jumper at 3:51 giving UL a 38-34 advantage. However, those were the Cajuns only points over a four-minute stretch and the Lady Eagles caught up with a triple from Nyla Jean and putback from Melyia Grayson on back-to-back possessions lifting USM into a 39-38 lead at 2:26.
Nubia Benedith had a quick answer with a free throw line jumper at 2:16 returning the advantage to Louisiana at 40-39. After the spark seemed to fade from the Cajuns offense and Southern Miss took full advantage getting back-to-back treys from Trinity Rowe and Jean for a quick 6-0 spurt and a 45-40 edge by the 1:21 mark.
Kamryn Jones' paint bucket before the third quarter expired made it a one-possession game again, at 45-42, but in the fourth quarter the Cajuns could never climb back into the lead.
Lafayette scored the first basket of the fourth to cut the USM lead to 45-44 only to see the Lady Eagles dial up another timely three, with Rowe delivering once more, to keep UL at arm's length.
Tamiah Robinson fought her way for a shot-clock beating running layup at 8:26 lowering the deficit to 48-46 and then the Cajuns forced a five-second violation, presenting an opportunity to flip the momentum.
However, the second-half trend of not capitalizing resumed as a shot to tie was missed, USM scored on other end and Louisiana could muster just two points for the next five minutes.
Lafayette led Louisiana with 17 points, hitting eight field goals on a game-high 22 attempts. The production allowed her to clinch the first 400-point season by a Ragin' Cajun since the 2016-17 season (Jaylyn Gordon and Simone Fields).
Jones was the other double-figure scorer with 11 points, tying her highest output since returning from a nose injury. Benedith followed with eight points and Wheaton added six points.
Robinson was the Cajuns' leading rebounder with eight, closely followed by Jones' seven boards. USM managed to hold Skylah Travis to just five rebounds, breaking her trend of reaching at least eight rebounds.
The Ragin' Cajuns protected the ball well with just six turnovers. It was negated by only forcing the Lady Eagles into seven turnovers – uncharacteristic of a defense that came in averaging 20-plus turnovers forced.
Southern Miss used the three-point shot to gain separation in the second half, the bulk of the hosts 21-0 advantage from beyond the arc by making seven triples to the Cajuns none.
The loss prevented Louisiana from securing a winning mark, and reaching double digits in wins, in conference play for the sixth straight season. Louisiana ended the regular season on a seven-game road losing streak.
Charged by a game-high 26 points from Grayson the Lady Eagles were victorious in the final regular season game with head coach Joye Lee-McNelis who is retiring following the completion of the season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns travel to Pensacola, Florida to compete in the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled from Tuesday-Monday, March 4-10 at Pensacola's Bay Center.
Louisiana will receive its official assignment for its opening game in the event following the completion of the last regular season game on Friday, February 28.
It's the fifth straight season the SBC's postseason event is held in Pensacola. UL advanced to the semifinals three of the previous four trips, last playing for the title in 2021.
Live coverage from the SBC Tournament is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.
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.
After a 30-all stalemate in the first half, the Ragin' Cajuns (13-15, 9-9 SBC) had a golden opportunity to build a sizeable lead at the start of the third quarter as the Lady Eagles (10-20, 5-13 SBC) missed six of their first seven shots during the first five minutes out of the break.
Louisiana, though, missed four good looks at the basket with the game still knotted at 30-all over the first two minutes of the third and missed the chance to put USM back on its heels.
As a result, a combined three straight makes from Erica Lafayette and Lanay Wheaton only advanced to Ragin' Cajuns lead to 36-32 by the 6:17 mark.
Lafayette continued filing up the basket with her baseline jumper at 3:51 giving UL a 38-34 advantage. However, those were the Cajuns only points over a four-minute stretch and the Lady Eagles caught up with a triple from Nyla Jean and putback from Melyia Grayson on back-to-back possessions lifting USM into a 39-38 lead at 2:26.
Nubia Benedith had a quick answer with a free throw line jumper at 2:16 returning the advantage to Louisiana at 40-39. After the spark seemed to fade from the Cajuns offense and Southern Miss took full advantage getting back-to-back treys from Trinity Rowe and Jean for a quick 6-0 spurt and a 45-40 edge by the 1:21 mark.
Kamryn Jones' paint bucket before the third quarter expired made it a one-possession game again, at 45-42, but in the fourth quarter the Cajuns could never climb back into the lead.
Lafayette scored the first basket of the fourth to cut the USM lead to 45-44 only to see the Lady Eagles dial up another timely three, with Rowe delivering once more, to keep UL at arm's length.
Tamiah Robinson fought her way for a shot-clock beating running layup at 8:26 lowering the deficit to 48-46 and then the Cajuns forced a five-second violation, presenting an opportunity to flip the momentum.
However, the second-half trend of not capitalizing resumed as a shot to tie was missed, USM scored on other end and Louisiana could muster just two points for the next five minutes.
Lafayette led Louisiana with 17 points, hitting eight field goals on a game-high 22 attempts. The production allowed her to clinch the first 400-point season by a Ragin' Cajun since the 2016-17 season (Jaylyn Gordon and Simone Fields).
Jones was the other double-figure scorer with 11 points, tying her highest output since returning from a nose injury. Benedith followed with eight points and Wheaton added six points.
Robinson was the Cajuns' leading rebounder with eight, closely followed by Jones' seven boards. USM managed to hold Skylah Travis to just five rebounds, breaking her trend of reaching at least eight rebounds.
The Ragin' Cajuns protected the ball well with just six turnovers. It was negated by only forcing the Lady Eagles into seven turnovers – uncharacteristic of a defense that came in averaging 20-plus turnovers forced.
Southern Miss used the three-point shot to gain separation in the second half, the bulk of the hosts 21-0 advantage from beyond the arc by making seven triples to the Cajuns none.
The loss prevented Louisiana from securing a winning mark, and reaching double digits in wins, in conference play for the sixth straight season. Louisiana ended the regular season on a seven-game road losing streak.
Charged by a game-high 26 points from Grayson the Lady Eagles were victorious in the final regular season game with head coach Joye Lee-McNelis who is retiring following the completion of the season.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns travel to Pensacola, Florida to compete in the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled from Tuesday-Monday, March 4-10 at Pensacola's Bay Center.
Louisiana will receive its official assignment for its opening game in the event following the completion of the last regular season game on Friday, February 28.
It's the fifth straight season the SBC's postseason event is held in Pensacola. UL advanced to the semifinals three of the previous four trips, last playing for the title in 2021.
Live coverage from the SBC Tournament is available on ESPN+, the Ragin' Cajuns Radio Network (The Goat 103.3 FM/1420 AM and Varsity Sports app) and CajunStats.com.
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
USM
FG%
.375
.431
3FG%
.000
.368
FT%
.714
.583
RB
35
39
TO
6
7
STL
4
4
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ 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
