University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Wednesday, March 4
Pensacola, Fla.
5:00 p.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
11-22,7-11Sun Belt
72
vs
87
James Madison
18-14,9-9Sun Belt
1
2
F
Louisiana
27
45
72
James Madison
37
50
87
Cajuns Battle Behind Finister, Olvera in SBC Tournament Clash with JMU
3/4/2026 10:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Louisiana backcourt combines for 55 points in season finale
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Men's Basketball team received big scoring nights from Jaxon Olvera and Dorian Finister, but James Madison's offensive efficiency proved decisive as the Dukes captured an 87-72 victory on Wednesday, March 4 in the second round of the 2026 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Championship tournament at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Louisiana (11-22) leaned heavily on its backcourt, with Olvera and Finister combining for 55 of the Cajuns' 72 points. Olvera finished with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds while shooting 10-of-21 from the field. Finister added 27 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting night and converted 7-of-9 attempts at the free-throw line.
After trailing early, Louisiana briefly seized momentum using a 6-0 burst to take a 10-7 lead with 13:02 remaining in the first half following baskets by Finister and Olvera. The advantage was short-lived as James Madison (18-14) answered with a triple 30 seconds later, sparking a 15-2 run that opened a double-digit lead.
The Dukes carried a 37-27 advantage into halftime after shooting 58 percent (14-fo-24) in the opening period.
Louisiana attempted to rally behind its backcourt in the second half as Olvera and Finister continued to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line. The duo accounted for 12 field goal makes and 10 free throws in the second half push.
Midway through the second half, Louisiana strung together one of its best stretches of the night. Trailing 53-42, Finister and Milan Mejia scored triples on back-to-back possessions during the 11-minute mark and moments later Olvera knocked down a jumper that capped the push and trimmed James Madison's lead to 55-51, bringing the Cajuns within four points and forcing the Dukes to regroup.
JMU responded with a 7-0 run to stretch the margin back to double digits, but Louisiana refused to go away.
Finister continued to attack the paint and Olvera added key free throws as the Cajuns mounted another push down the stretch. Olvera's triple at 5:44 made it a two-possession game, 64-58, and two minutes later Finister drove for a baseline jumper and completed the three-point play at 3:22 to knock JMU's lead down to 70-65.
As they did following previous Cajuns threats, the Dukes maintained control with timely baskets.
The Dukes' interior presence ultimately made the difference. James Madison outscored Louisiana 56-32 in the paint and added 22 fast-break points while shooting 32-of-54 (59.3 percent) from the floor for the game.
UL found consistent offense from its top scorers and shot 42 percent overall (26-of-62) while finishing 15-of-21 from the free-throw line.
Wednesday's result concluded Louisiana's stay at the SBC Championship Tournament and ended the team's 2025-26 season.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
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.
Louisiana (11-22) leaned heavily on its backcourt, with Olvera and Finister combining for 55 of the Cajuns' 72 points. Olvera finished with a game-high 28 points and eight rebounds while shooting 10-of-21 from the field. Finister added 27 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting night and converted 7-of-9 attempts at the free-throw line.
After trailing early, Louisiana briefly seized momentum using a 6-0 burst to take a 10-7 lead with 13:02 remaining in the first half following baskets by Finister and Olvera. The advantage was short-lived as James Madison (18-14) answered with a triple 30 seconds later, sparking a 15-2 run that opened a double-digit lead.
The Dukes carried a 37-27 advantage into halftime after shooting 58 percent (14-fo-24) in the opening period.
Louisiana attempted to rally behind its backcourt in the second half as Olvera and Finister continued to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line. The duo accounted for 12 field goal makes and 10 free throws in the second half push.
Midway through the second half, Louisiana strung together one of its best stretches of the night. Trailing 53-42, Finister and Milan Mejia scored triples on back-to-back possessions during the 11-minute mark and moments later Olvera knocked down a jumper that capped the push and trimmed James Madison's lead to 55-51, bringing the Cajuns within four points and forcing the Dukes to regroup.
JMU responded with a 7-0 run to stretch the margin back to double digits, but Louisiana refused to go away.
Finister continued to attack the paint and Olvera added key free throws as the Cajuns mounted another push down the stretch. Olvera's triple at 5:44 made it a two-possession game, 64-58, and two minutes later Finister drove for a baseline jumper and completed the three-point play at 3:22 to knock JMU's lead down to 70-65.
As they did following previous Cajuns threats, the Dukes maintained control with timely baskets.
The Dukes' interior presence ultimately made the difference. James Madison outscored Louisiana 56-32 in the paint and added 22 fast-break points while shooting 32-of-54 (59.3 percent) from the floor for the game.
UL found consistent offense from its top scorers and shot 42 percent overall (26-of-62) while finishing 15-of-21 from the free-throw line.
Wednesday's result concluded Louisiana's stay at the SBC Championship Tournament and ended the team's 2025-26 season.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).
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.
- www.RaginCajuns.com -
Team Stats
LA
JMU
FG%
.419
.593
3FG%
.313
.231
FT%
.714
.769
RB
23
41
TO
8
16
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
28
FGM
10
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
27
FGM
9
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
3
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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