University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Saturday, February 7
Akron, Ohio
11:00 a.m. (CST)
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
3-21,1-12Sun Belt
82
at
71
Akron
5-18,2-8MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Louisiana
27
13
20
22
82
Akron
16
16
17
22
71
Louisiana Controls Play Throughout in Win at Akron
2/7/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Freshmen Imani Daniel and Amijah Price dominate first quarter as Cajuns lay claim to the lead
AKRON, Ohio – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team seized control early and never let up, defeating Akron 82-71 on Saturday, February 7 in a second round MAC-SBC Challenge contest held at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.
Louisiana led for all 39 minutes, 22 seconds after scoring the game's first points and shot 50 percent from the field (28-of-56), using a dominant first quarter to set the tone. The win snapped a four-game losing streak and marked the team's first road win of the season.
The Ragin' Cajuns (3-21) knocked down four of their first six shots, opening the game on a 9-2 run, and closed the first period ahead 27-16 behind 67 percent shooting (10-of-15) and 10 points gained from 11 turnovers forced.
Imani Daniel was at the center of the opening surge as she scored 12 first-quarter points, making all five field goal attempts and sinking two free throws. Amijah Price was equally troublesome for the Zips (5-18) from the opening tip, delivering the Cajuns' first seven points.
Daniel paced Louisiana with a season-and game-high of 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds and three steals. Price finished with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, tying her season-high for rebounds and collecting her third double-double of the season.
Bianca Silva added 11 points and seven rebounds to go with a season-high tying seven assists. Mikaylah Manley contributed 13 points and five assists off the bench, and Lily Ba scored 11.
Louisiana built a first-half lead that grew as large as 13 points and maintained the advantage at halftime, leading 40-32, despite cooling off in the second quarter.
After a crisp opening period, Louisiana went 5-of-17 in the second but limited Akron's ability to capitalize. The Zips shot 48% in the first half yet trailed by eight after committing 14 turnovers.
Akron threatened in the third quarter, with a series of five free throws made by Keiryn McGuff closing a 7-3 run that cut Louisiana's lead to 45-41 at 5:28, but the Cajuns quickly responded immediately.
Manley buried a 3-pointer at 5:12 to stretch the margin to 48-41, the defense held the Zips scoreless for the next two minutes and Ba scored a layup at 3:15 that pushed the lead back to nine (50-41).
Louisiana carried a 60-49 edge into the fourth and maintained composure after Akron closed within five points in the final two minutes. Marina Artero scored a crucial paint basket with 1:23 remaining to keep the Zips at arm's length at 76-69 and on the ensuing possession Daniel drew a charge to prevent a Zips answer.
From there, the Ragin' Cajuns clinched the victory at the free-throw line, where they shot 22-of-30 for the game, by converting six makes over the final 1:06.
Louisiana's ability to generate offense from defense proved decisive. The Cajuns forced 26 turnovers and turned them into 27 points, while also holding a 21-17 advantage in fast-break scoring. They outscored Akron 38-28 in the paint and received 25 points from their bench.
Ni'Rah Clark led Akron with 19 points and seven rebounds. Shaena Brew added 17 points and nine assists, while McGuff finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. The Zips shot 40.4% overall and 25.9% (7-of-27) from 3-point range.
Saturday's contest marked the first-ever meeting between the Ragin' Cajuns and Zips. It was the final non-conference outing of the 2025-26 season.
With the win, Louisiana moved to 2-4 all-time in the MAC-SBC Challenge which was initiated in the 2023-24 season. Both of the Ragin' Cajuns wins have come on the road, the previous occurring in February 2024 at Central Michigan.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to Sun Belt Conference play and continues its three-game road trip on Thursday, February 12 in Troy, Alabama to face the Troy Trojans in a 6:00 p.m. contest.
UL and Troy will complete the annual season series when the two teams take the court at Trojan Arena. Live coverage is available on ESPN+ and The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM.
The Ragin' Cajuns are starting the stretch run of conference play – each of the final five games of the regular season are against SBC foes.
Following the matchup with the Trojans, the last stop on the road trip will be on Saturday, February 14 in Mobile (at South Alabama) followed by the final two home games of the season at the Cajundome (Feb. 18 vs. Southern Miss and Feb. 21 vs. Arkansas State).
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 -
Louisiana led for all 39 minutes, 22 seconds after scoring the game's first points and shot 50 percent from the field (28-of-56), using a dominant first quarter to set the tone. The win snapped a four-game losing streak and marked the team's first road win of the season.
The Ragin' Cajuns (3-21) knocked down four of their first six shots, opening the game on a 9-2 run, and closed the first period ahead 27-16 behind 67 percent shooting (10-of-15) and 10 points gained from 11 turnovers forced.
Imani Daniel was at the center of the opening surge as she scored 12 first-quarter points, making all five field goal attempts and sinking two free throws. Amijah Price was equally troublesome for the Zips (5-18) from the opening tip, delivering the Cajuns' first seven points.
Daniel paced Louisiana with a season-and game-high of 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds and three steals. Price finished with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, tying her season-high for rebounds and collecting her third double-double of the season.
Bianca Silva added 11 points and seven rebounds to go with a season-high tying seven assists. Mikaylah Manley contributed 13 points and five assists off the bench, and Lily Ba scored 11.
Louisiana built a first-half lead that grew as large as 13 points and maintained the advantage at halftime, leading 40-32, despite cooling off in the second quarter.
After a crisp opening period, Louisiana went 5-of-17 in the second but limited Akron's ability to capitalize. The Zips shot 48% in the first half yet trailed by eight after committing 14 turnovers.
Akron threatened in the third quarter, with a series of five free throws made by Keiryn McGuff closing a 7-3 run that cut Louisiana's lead to 45-41 at 5:28, but the Cajuns quickly responded immediately.
Manley buried a 3-pointer at 5:12 to stretch the margin to 48-41, the defense held the Zips scoreless for the next two minutes and Ba scored a layup at 3:15 that pushed the lead back to nine (50-41).
Louisiana carried a 60-49 edge into the fourth and maintained composure after Akron closed within five points in the final two minutes. Marina Artero scored a crucial paint basket with 1:23 remaining to keep the Zips at arm's length at 76-69 and on the ensuing possession Daniel drew a charge to prevent a Zips answer.
From there, the Ragin' Cajuns clinched the victory at the free-throw line, where they shot 22-of-30 for the game, by converting six makes over the final 1:06.
Louisiana's ability to generate offense from defense proved decisive. The Cajuns forced 26 turnovers and turned them into 27 points, while also holding a 21-17 advantage in fast-break scoring. They outscored Akron 38-28 in the paint and received 25 points from their bench.
Ni'Rah Clark led Akron with 19 points and seven rebounds. Shaena Brew added 17 points and nine assists, while McGuff finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. The Zips shot 40.4% overall and 25.9% (7-of-27) from 3-point range.
Saturday's contest marked the first-ever meeting between the Ragin' Cajuns and Zips. It was the final non-conference outing of the 2025-26 season.
With the win, Louisiana moved to 2-4 all-time in the MAC-SBC Challenge which was initiated in the 2023-24 season. Both of the Ragin' Cajuns wins have come on the road, the previous occurring in February 2024 at Central Michigan.
UP NEXT FOR LOUISIANA
Louisiana returns to Sun Belt Conference play and continues its three-game road trip on Thursday, February 12 in Troy, Alabama to face the Troy Trojans in a 6:00 p.m. contest.
UL and Troy will complete the annual season series when the two teams take the court at Trojan Arena. Live coverage is available on ESPN+ and The GOAT 103.3 FM and 1420 AM.
The Ragin' Cajuns are starting the stretch run of conference play – each of the final five games of the regular season are against SBC foes.
Following the matchup with the Trojans, the last stop on the road trip will be on Saturday, February 14 in Mobile (at South Alabama) followed by the final two home games of the season at the Cajundome (Feb. 18 vs. Southern Miss and Feb. 21 vs. Arkansas State).
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
LA
UA
FG%
.500
.404
3FG%
.308
.259
FT%
.733
.786
RB
34
33
TO
17
26
STL
10
6
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
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