University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, January 3
Lafayette
3:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
1-13,0-4Sun Belt
56
vs
81
South Alabama
8-6,1-3Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
South Alabama
28
17
17
19
81
Louisiana
12
11
16
17
56
Louisiana Dealt Setback By South Alabama’s Big First Half
1/3/2026 8:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ragin’ Cajuns charge back in second half but Jaguars maintain double-figure edge
LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team was placed into a double-digit deficit after one quarter of play by a hot-shooting South Alabama squad and was unable to completely recover in falling 81-56 on Saturday, January 3 at the Cajundome.
USA shot 10-of-18 (56 percent) over the first 10 minutes, led by identical 3-of-3 showings from Cordasia Harris and Tamara Ortiz, in building a 28-12 advantage. The Jags (8-6, 1-3 SBC) seized control for good when a 12-0 run erased their lone deficit and opened a 17-6 edge.
Louisiana (1-13, 0-4 SBC) was unable to do any damage control before intermission as the squad was held to one field goal make the first six minutes of the second quarter and USA stretched its lead to 40-15.
The Jaguars opened the second half with a 14-6 run that brought their lead to its largest margin at 59-29 with 3:36 remaining in the third quarter before Amijah Price attempted to lead the Ragin' Cajuns on a herculean comeback.
Price, who wound up scoring 18 of her 24 points during the second half, put her team on her back by scoring the group's final 10 points of the third quarter starting with a three-point play at 2:39. With a pair of baskets and a free throw, she scored five points over the final 41 seconds as UL trimmed the deficit to 62-39.
The Cajuns defense turned the Jaguars over three times in the opening minute of the fourth quarter and Price converted it into more points, a pair of free throws then a stepback jumper at 9:05 making it 62-45.
Louisiana extended its run to 18-3 following two Imani Daniel free throws at 8:19 which made it 62-47 marking the closest the deficit had been since the opening minute of the second quarter.
South Alabama got a timely basket from Amyah Sutton at 8:09 to avoid its lead from shrinking any further. Stephanie Mosely had a quick answer for the Ragin' Cajuns at 7:51 and its was 64-49.
After both sides traded empty possessions through the 6:22 mark it was USA being the ones who regained rhythm and rolled off a 10-1 run over a two-minute span advancing the lead out to 74-50 with 4:28 left to play.
The Ragin' Cajuns fell to 1-2 on their current five-game homestand, having lost back-to-back SBC games after opening the stretch with a win over Dillard on Monday.
Louisiana was denied a chance to draw with South Alabama in meetings held in Lafayette. The Jaguars maintained their lead in the Hub City, now holding a 16-14 advantage.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Price led the Ragin' Cajuns in scoring for the third straight game, her 24 points marking the second 20-plus point effort on the homestand (30 vs. Dillard). She found her way to the free throw line converting 12-of-15 opportunities.
Daniel posted double digits for the eighth time in the past 10 games with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 mark from the free throw line. She rounded up a team-leading eight rebounds and collected two steals.
Mikaylah Manley was the third Cajun in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting and a pair of free throws. She was the next leading rebounder with six boards with four off the offensive glass and also swiped a pair of steals.
Louisiana pressured South Alabama into 24 turnovers marking the seventh time forcing 20-plus this season. The Ragin' Cajuns gained 21 points off of the Jaguars' miscues.
South Alabama took advantage of an 8-0 edge in three-point baskets made and picked up 20 second-chance points. The Jags outshot the Ragin' Cajuns 47 percent (27-of-57) to 31 percent (18-of-58).
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana completes its homestand next week with contests against ULM on Thursday, January 8 at Texas State on Saturday, January 10.
The Ragin' Cajuns and Warhawks will be beginning their season series with Thursday's 5:00 p.m. contest. It's the first game of a doubleheader involving the UL and ULM men's squads.
UL and Texas State will complete the season series during the 3:00 p.m. contest on Saturday. The Ragin' Cajuns look for a split with the Bobcats who captured a 62-55 win in the SBC opener in San Marcos on December 17.
Live coverage of both games is available on ESPN+ and The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM.
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.
Fans can support the women's basketball student-athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Assist Club (click here).
USA shot 10-of-18 (56 percent) over the first 10 minutes, led by identical 3-of-3 showings from Cordasia Harris and Tamara Ortiz, in building a 28-12 advantage. The Jags (8-6, 1-3 SBC) seized control for good when a 12-0 run erased their lone deficit and opened a 17-6 edge.
Louisiana (1-13, 0-4 SBC) was unable to do any damage control before intermission as the squad was held to one field goal make the first six minutes of the second quarter and USA stretched its lead to 40-15.
The Jaguars opened the second half with a 14-6 run that brought their lead to its largest margin at 59-29 with 3:36 remaining in the third quarter before Amijah Price attempted to lead the Ragin' Cajuns on a herculean comeback.
Price, who wound up scoring 18 of her 24 points during the second half, put her team on her back by scoring the group's final 10 points of the third quarter starting with a three-point play at 2:39. With a pair of baskets and a free throw, she scored five points over the final 41 seconds as UL trimmed the deficit to 62-39.
The Cajuns defense turned the Jaguars over three times in the opening minute of the fourth quarter and Price converted it into more points, a pair of free throws then a stepback jumper at 9:05 making it 62-45.
Louisiana extended its run to 18-3 following two Imani Daniel free throws at 8:19 which made it 62-47 marking the closest the deficit had been since the opening minute of the second quarter.
South Alabama got a timely basket from Amyah Sutton at 8:09 to avoid its lead from shrinking any further. Stephanie Mosely had a quick answer for the Ragin' Cajuns at 7:51 and its was 64-49.
After both sides traded empty possessions through the 6:22 mark it was USA being the ones who regained rhythm and rolled off a 10-1 run over a two-minute span advancing the lead out to 74-50 with 4:28 left to play.
The Ragin' Cajuns fell to 1-2 on their current five-game homestand, having lost back-to-back SBC games after opening the stretch with a win over Dillard on Monday.
Louisiana was denied a chance to draw with South Alabama in meetings held in Lafayette. The Jaguars maintained their lead in the Hub City, now holding a 16-14 advantage.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Price led the Ragin' Cajuns in scoring for the third straight game, her 24 points marking the second 20-plus point effort on the homestand (30 vs. Dillard). She found her way to the free throw line converting 12-of-15 opportunities.
Daniel posted double digits for the eighth time in the past 10 games with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 mark from the free throw line. She rounded up a team-leading eight rebounds and collected two steals.
Mikaylah Manley was the third Cajun in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting and a pair of free throws. She was the next leading rebounder with six boards with four off the offensive glass and also swiped a pair of steals.
Louisiana pressured South Alabama into 24 turnovers marking the seventh time forcing 20-plus this season. The Ragin' Cajuns gained 21 points off of the Jaguars' miscues.
South Alabama took advantage of an 8-0 edge in three-point baskets made and picked up 20 second-chance points. The Jags outshot the Ragin' Cajuns 47 percent (27-of-57) to 31 percent (18-of-58).
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana completes its homestand next week with contests against ULM on Thursday, January 8 at Texas State on Saturday, January 10.
The Ragin' Cajuns and Warhawks will be beginning their season series with Thursday's 5:00 p.m. contest. It's the first game of a doubleheader involving the UL and ULM men's squads.
UL and Texas State will complete the season series during the 3:00 p.m. contest on Saturday. The Ragin' Cajuns look for a split with the Bobcats who captured a 62-55 win in the SBC opener in San Marcos on December 17.
Live coverage of both games is available on ESPN+ and The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM.
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.
Fans can support the women's basketball student-athletes, and invest in the program's future, through The Cajuns Edge Fund (click here) to contribute directly to the Louisiana Athletics and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation's revenue-sharing initiative or by joining the Assist Club (click here).
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
USA
LA
FG%
.474
.310
3FG%
.320
.000
FT%
.679
.800
RB
48
28
TO
24
19
STL
11
8
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
12
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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