The Book: Lady Cajuns 2007-08 basketball

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–UALR shot a staggering 60.7 from the floor as the Trojans avenged last season's loss with an 83-51 win over Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns Thursday night at the Jack Stephens Center. The loss snapped Louisiana’s (5-10, 1-3 Sun Belt) three-game winning streak against UALR (10-5, 2-2 Sun Belt), while the Trojans moved to 7-0 at home. Louisiana fell to 0-8 on the road this season. Alicia McDaniel (Houston, Texas) led the Cajuns offensively with a team-high 16 points, while Courtney Ratliff (Canton, Miss.) added 10 points. Senior Onna Charles (New Iberia, La.) poured in five points, moving her five away from becoming the 12th player in school history with 1,000 career points. UALR’s Nikya Hughes led all scorers with 22 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Kim Sitzmann added 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting from three-point range, while Anshel Cooper chipped in 10. Louisiana scored five of the second half’s first seven points, but UALR kept providing an answer to each Cajuns basket. With the Trojans leading by 14, Sitzmann drilled her fifth triple of the game, extending UALR’s lead to 17 points, 48-31. The Trojans then built their commanding lead to 20, 53-33, after Hughes converted a three-point play. A 10-2 run by UALR provided for a 25-point Trojans cushion, 60-35. After two consecutive Cajuns baskets, UALR followed with a 10-0 run for a 70-39 advantage. UALR came out shooting to open the first half as the home-standing Trojans hit five of their first seven shots to take a 12-7 lead entering the first media timeout. McDaniel contributed four of Louisiana's first seven points. Following the media timeout, McDaniel added four more to total to help keep Louisiana within five, 16-11, with 11:53 remaining in the opening period. Early in the first half, the Cajuns had no apparent solution to Sitzmann who knocked down three three-pointers for the Trojans, extending UALR’s lead to 21-11. UALR’s lead grew larger as the Trojans capped a 16-4 run to take a commanding 15-point 28-13 edge with less than seven minutes remaining before halftime. The Trojans were able to contain McDaniel, while holding the rest of the Cajuns lineup to just 2-of-7 from the floor. In the game’s first 13 minutes, the Trojans forced nine Louisiana turnovers that would continue to aid UALR’s double-digit advantage. However, a 7-2 spurt by the Cajuns cut the UALR deficit to 10 points, 30-20, but the Trojans added a basket on their ensuing possession to snap UL’s streak. After the final media break of the first half, Sitzmann promptly hit her fourth triple of the period, bringing UALR’s lead back to 15 points, 35-20. The Cajuns scored the last bucket of the half on a Ratliff tip-in to beat the buzzer. McDaniel paced the Cajuns with a team-high 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the opening stanza. Ratliff chipped in six points in 15 minutes. Sitzmann led all scorers with 12 points in the first half, draining four treys, while Anshel Cooper and Nikya Hughes each added eight for the Trojans. Louisiana shot 39.3 percent from the floor in the first half, connecting on 11-of-28 shots. UALR shot an impressive 55.2 percent from floor, while forcing 10 Louisiana turnovers. Louisiana’s Ragin' Cajuns return to action Saturday when they travel to Denton, Texas, to face the North Texas Mean Green. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at The Super Pit. RaginCajuns.com

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With a smile on his face and relief in the air, UL coach Errol Rogers said what was on his mind as he walked out of the post-game press conference last Saturday at the Cajundome. His Ragin' Cajuns had just won their first Sun Belt Conference game of the season with a 64-55 win over New Orleans. "It feels good to walk out of here with a win," Rogers said. "We were lucky to win this one." UL wasn't as lucky on Thursday. The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com

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DENTON, Texas - A 15-6 run by North Texas to open the second half proved pivotal as the Mean Green beat UL, 77-58, on Saturday night at the Super Pit in Sun Belt Conference action. With the win, North Texas (7-10, 2-3 Sun Belt) snapped its three-game losing streak, while the Cajuns (5-11, 1-4) suffered their sixth straight road loss. It was also UL's first loss in the series to North Texas since Jan. 7, 2006 - a 74-47 win at the Super Pit. Despite the loss, senior guard Onna Charles became the 12th player in Cajuns history to eclipse the 1,000-point career mark. Charles scored seven in the game, increasing her career mark to 1,002 points. Next on the 1,000-point career watch list is senior forward Sonora Edwards, who scored nine points against North Texas. Edwards (889) needs 111 points to become the school's 13th 1,000-point scorer. The rest of the story

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First-year UL women's basketball coach Errol Rogers said Monday that senior guard Elaine McCants is no longer with the team. Rogers told media members two weeks ago the senior guard was out sick. McCants hadn't played since a Dec. 30 loss at Mississippi State. "I haven't heard from her since New Year's (Day)," Rogers said. "She's on her own agenda. We're moving on." McCants averaged 5.5 points and 4.3 assists this season for the Cajuns in eight games - including four starts. She played as a freshman at Providence before transferring to Xavier. She later transferred to Chipola Junior College in Florida before ending up at UL. The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com

[RaginCajunPie]

She had problems from the first day she got to UL. I was hoping she could turn some of it around, but I guess she couldn't. It's sad to see talent like that go to waste.

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Former Jacksonian Liza ( Butler ) Whittington has quickly learned the difference in coaching basketball in college as opposed to high school. Whittington, 35, is in her first year as an assistant coach at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. "There's a lot more traveling," Whittington said. "And I'm not actually in a classroom like in high school." Part of her duties include scouting and breaking down film. "The amount of practice time usually takes two to three hours," Whittington said. "Plus, the (girls) have a full load in school." Whittington said her learning process continues. The same holds true for the girls she helps coach, who are away from home on their own. "They have more freedom," Whittington said. "They have to learn how to manage their time, and they have to manage themselves." Whittington graduated in 1994 from Lambuth University, where she was a member of the Lady Eagles basketball team. UL has a 5-11 record. "They are not progressing where we want them, yet," Whittington said. "It's going to take work, but we see improvement every game." The source of the story

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When it comes to playing against Western Kentucky forward Crystal Kelly, UL coach Errol Rogers realizes his options. Play Kelly straight up and risk a career night? Or double-team her and leave her teammates open? Rogers likes the second option. "You're not going to stop Crystal Kelly," said Rogers, whose Cajuns play host to WKU at 3 today at Earl K. Long Gym. "You have to stop everyone around her. Let's say we hold her to 15 points. We can't let three or four other people get 12-13 points. "We're really going to have to work on defending everyone else around the perimeter." The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com

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When Western Kentucky’s team takes the floor at 3 p.m. today against Louisiana-Lafayette at Earl K. Long Gym, motivation shouldn’t be a problem. For one thing, Western (13-5, 6-0) is looking to remain unbeaten in the Sun Belt Conference and to maintain its two-game lead in the East Division. But the Lady Toppers seek a little payback as well. Last January, Louisiana came into E.A. Diddle Arena and left with a stunning 77-64 victory. Two months later UL, which went on to win the West Division and advance to the Sun Belt Tournament championship game, was a surprise at-large addition to the NCAA Tournament, while WKU was left out. “They are the team that pretty much took our at-large bid,” senior forward Crystal Kelly said. “It’s something we take to heart and something that we’ve looked forward to. We don’t want to overlook any team, but we are looking forward to playing them.” The rest of the story MICHEAL COMPTON The Daily News mcompton@bgdailynews.com

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Louisiana’s Lady Cajuns gave a terrific effort, but came up short against Sun Belt unbeaten Western Kentucky, falling to the Lady Toppers by a final score of 90-74. The Cajuns trailed by just two points, 64-62, at the 8:00 mark, but from that point Courtney Ratliff was the only player to score for UL (5-12, 1-5) until Alicia McDaniel converted a lay-up with 19.8 seconds remaining. The difference for WKU (14-5, 7-0) in the second half was shooting. The Lady Toppers shot 70.8 percent, missing only seven shots in the final 20 minutes. Louisiana shot 50 percent in the second half and came out with a fury to start the stanza. Four different players scored field goals and Sonora Edwards added two from the stripe to get the Lady Toppers lead down to five points, 47-42, with 16:33 remaining. The score was the closest since WKU led 5-0 just 3:04 into the game. In a little over one minute, WKU pushed their lead back to double-figures, 52-42, at 15:24. Edwards and Jasmine Barnes each hit short jumpers to close the difference to six points. After the teams traded baskets for the next three minutes, Ratliff made two free throws and then a break-away lay-up to push the Cajuns closer, 58-54, with 11:18 to play. A fast-break lay-up by Barnes made it a two-point game, but Charlotte Marshall drilled a triple from the wing and Dominique Duck scored inside to give WKU some breathing room, 69-62, at the 7:08 mark. In the blink of an eye, the Lady Toppers’ lead was back to double figures, 76-66, with only 5:13 showing on the clock. Ratliff led the Cajuns with 24 points, including 10 straight in a six-minute stretch late in the game. She also contributed six rebounds, three steals, three assists and two blocks. Edwards added 17 points and five boards, while McDaniel finished with 13 points. Crystal Kelly led all players with 25 points and eight rebounds. Three other Lady Toppers finished in double figures, including 20 points by Kenzie Rich. The Lady Toppers took a 42-31 lead into the second stanza. WKU shot 47.2 percent in the first half, despite missing several easy baskets. The Cajuns shot 45.8 percent over the first 20 minutes, but were out-rebounded 22-10, including 12-3 on the offensive glass. The Cajuns struggled early with the full court pressure supplied by WKU. The Lady Toppers jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the first four minutes. UL was able to trim their deficit to six points, 20-14, at the 10:55 mark. Back-to-back baskets by Ratliff and McDaniel provided scoring. From there, WKU enjoyed a 16-5 burst over the next 5:23 to build their biggest lead of the first half, 36-19. The Cajuns bounced back with a 12-4 spurt in the next 5:15 to cut the margin under double figures. Edwards and Bronson Rodgers each contributed two baskets during the run. UL seemed to have momentum heading into the break, but Kelly scored in the paint as time expired in the opening half to create an 11-point cushion for the visitors. The Cajuns will go back on the road next week to face South Alabama on Wednesday and Troy on Sunday. RaginCajuns.com

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When UL pulled within two points of Western Kentucky on Sunday with eight minutes left, Sonora Edwards believed upsetting the Sun Belt Conference East Division leader was possible. "We felt like we'd come out with a win," Edwards said. "We started believing." The rally eventually fell short for the Ragin' Cajuns, who lost 90-74 after being out-scored 26-12 the rest of the way. It was the third straight loss for UL (5-12 overall, 1-5 SBC) and seventh in the last eight games. The Cajuns, who play at 7 tonight at South Alabama (12-6, 3-4), are currently tied for last in the West Division with Denver. They are 1-9 away from home this season. During tough times, first-year UL coach Errol Rogers knows the importance of leaning on his five seniors, especially Edwards and guard Alicia McDaniel. The rest of the story Joshua Parrott jparrott@theadvertiser.com

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MOBILE, Ala. – An 18-point swing during the latter stages of the first half proved to be the difference-maker Wednesday night as the sharp-shooting South Alabama Jaguars defeated Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns 76-65 at the Mitchell Center. Louisiana (5-13, 1-6 Sun Belt West) suffered its seventh straight road defeat and its first loss at the Mitchell Center since Jan. 15, 2005, while South Alabama (13-7, 4-4 Sun Belt East) snapped a four-game homecourt losing streak. Courtney Ratliff (Canton, Miss.) paced the Ragin' Cajuns with a team-high 21 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Senior Alicia McDaniel (Houston, Texas) added 12, while Whitney Dunlap (Baton Rouge, La.) chipped in 11. South Alabama's Monique Jones scored a game- and career-high 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting, while Jessica Starling and Amanda Leonard chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. After shooting nearly 42 percent from the floor in the first half, Louisiana couldn't get very many shots to fall its way in the second stanza. The Cajuns managed to make just 10 of its first 30 shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Louisiana trailed by as many as 30 points, 72-42, until an 11-2 run trimmed the Jaguars' lead to 21 with 5:25 remaining in the game. The majority of the second half was paced by back-and-forth scoring between the two teams. Once the Cajuns cut South Alabama's lead to less than 30 points, Louisiana was able to supply an answer for many of the Jaguars' scores. The Cajuns' frenzied defensive pressure helped Louisiana cut the South Alabama lead to 76-66 with less than 22 seconds remaining in the contest. Louisiana trailed by one, 6-5, after the first media timeout at the 15:02 mark of the first half. However, after just three minutes, point guard Bronson Rodgers (Itawamba, Miss.) earned her second foul contest, forcing head coach Errol Rogers to immediately rely on his bench. The Cajuns would go three minutes without a field goal until Dunlap drilled a three-pointer, knotting the contest at 8-8. Following a South Alabama basket, Dunlap connected on her second trey for an 11-10 lead. McDaniel added an easy transition basket for a three-point lead with 11:41 remaining in the first half. South Alabama erased the Cajuns' three-point lead thanks to a Monique Jones triple. Louisiana answered with a Ratliff 15-footer for a 15-13 lead. The Jaguars then went on an 18-5 run to take a commanding 31-20 lead. South Alabama's continued to grow as the Jaguars increased their lead to 40-22 with 3:03 left in the first half. On the ensuing Cajuns possession, Sonora Edwards (Snook, Texas) chipped in her first points of the game for Louisiana's first basket in more than three minutes. Facing the possibility of trailing by 20-plus points heading into the locker room, Louisiana scored five straight points to cut it to 45-29 with 11 seconds left to play. However, Dunlap fouled Karina Sproal on a three-point attempt. Sproal nailed all three freebies for a 19-point South Alabama lead, but Ratliff hit a 10-footer to beat the buzzer, cutting the Jaguars' halftime lead to 48-31. South Alabama's 48 first-half points were a season-high as Jones led the way with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three three-pointers. Leonard chipped in eight points on 3-of-6 shooting. One of the keys to South Alabama's high-scoring first half was shooting 56.3 percent from the field as a team (18-of-32). USA also connected on 7-of-12 three-point attempts for a 58.3 clip. Ratliff paced the Cajuns offense with 12 points, while Dunlap added 11. McDaniel added five points and five rebounds in the first stanza. Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team returns to action Sunday, January 27, when it travels to Troy, Ala., to face the Troy Trojans at 3 p.m. RaginCajuns.com Chris Whitehead

[CajunProud]

Wow, in one year our new coach has ruined what Coach Hall built.

I know some guys who coached against him back in middle school and they said he actually quit during a game and refused to finish the game.