Cajun Women Fall to Southern, 62-51

[NewsCopy]

  Louisiana's women's basketball team was unable to hold on to a 32-30 halftime lead, falling to Southern University on Saturday at Earl K. Long Gym, 62-51. The Jaguars outrebounded the Cajuns 44-30, grabbing 23 offensive rebounds.

With the loss the Cajuns fall to 1-1 on the season. The Jaguars now stand at 3-0.

The Cajuns opened the contest with an 11-4 run by the 13:41 mark. They maintained an 18-11 lead heading into the second media time out after hitting seven field goals in 12 attempts, including 2-for-2 shooting by Nicole Morris from three-point range.

The Cajuns stretched their lead to 11 points at the 6:00 mark, 26-15, with back-to-back buckets by Michelle Brunker.

But the Jaguars were able to put together a 15-6 run of their own to cut into UL's lead. At the half, the Cajuns had a small lead, 32-30, despite shooting 54-percent from the floor (13-24). Southern had trouble finding its mark, shooting 35-percent in the first half (12-34). But the Jaguars were able to keep it close by outrebounding UL 21-14, including 14 offensive rebounds.

In the beginning of the second half, Southern briefly tied the game at 35-35 before Jasmine Barnes hit a jumper to regain the lead for the Cajuns at the 16:04 mark.

A 6-0 run by Southern gave the Jaguars a 41-37 lead with 14:26 remaining. On the next possession, Alexis Green chipped in two free throws to close the gap 41-39.

Morris then capped off a seven-point run for UL, hitting a three-pointer at the 12:20 mark to give the Cajuns a 46-41 advantage.

The two teams traded points over the next four minutes with UL holding a 47-46 lead.

But Southern responded with an 8-0 run to claim a 54-47 lead with 5:30 remaining and was able to hold off the Cajuns for a 62-51 final score.

Morris led UL with 13 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range. Mercedes Johnson accounted for 11 points, while Green led UL with six rebounds.

Ashley Augerson was the leading-scorer for Southern with 15 points. Freda Allen grabbed 10 rebounds as the Jaguars outrebounded the Cajuns, 44-30.

The Ragin Cajuns will return to action next weekend as they travel to Waco, Texas to take part in the World Vision Classic. The Cajuns will play three games during the tournament, facing Lamar on Friday, Nov. 27, followed by Baylor on Saturday and Idaho on Sunday.

UL SI

[Zeebart21]

we wont win another game.

[Turbine]

_ we wont win another game. _

J Kelly Hall could win with this squad.

jmo

[Zeebart21]

J Kelly Hall could win with this squad.

jmo

Absolutely he could. Dollars to Donuts he's a hot commodity right now. Hope we dont wait to long??? Maybe his wife could coach the women, he could coach the men???

Z

[BayouBaller]

How hot? And exactly how would he win with this bunch? I do agree that the team is under performing. Is it coaching? Talent? Effort? Need to figure it out fast before they hit the road. I think Hall would opt for a big time assistant job before crawling back to Lafayette.

[HoustonCajun]

_ How hot? And exactly how would he win with this bunch? I do agree that the team is under performing. Is it coaching? Talent? Effort? Need to figure it out fast before they hit the road. I think Hall would opt for a big time assistant job before crawling back to Lafayette. _

Hey, UL is 1-1 in the SWAC and won a buzzer-beater over a Div. III team. How good is that? Women's sports at UL, other than softball obviously, are horrible. I don't think basketball, soccer and volleyball had 10 total wins among the three sports last year and likely won't this year.

Coach Hall might come back, but like football, we need to pay for a good coach. The grass isn't always greener at a BCS school. However, last time I looked, we are still in the SBC, so that is never attractive.

[VObserver]

_ How hot? And exactly how would he win with this bunch? I do agree that the team is under performing. Is it coaching? Talent? Effort? Need to figure it out fast before they hit the road. I think Hall would opt for a big time assistant job before crawling back to Lafayette. _

Three points, here. First, Hall isn't going anywhere as an assistant, not even the WNBA. Second, his retirement is covered by Cinncinnati. Third, he and his wife both love this city, and think it would be a great place for their kids to grow up.

Not saying that this means He's coming back here to coach, or even that he wants to, just saying that your position, though seemingly logical, doesn't hold water.

[BayouBaller]

Not saying that this means He's coming back here to coach, or even that he wants to, just saying that your position, though seemingly logical, doesn't hold water. _

Then what are you saying? Don't get me wrong, I have always liked what he accomplished here, but never got the impression UL was big time enough for him. Jesse Evans would be in the same category. Actually, both left the cupboard bare upon departure. If either left a "program" behind we would not be at the bottom of the barrel today. Walker knows the same.

[VObserver]

_ Then what are you saying? Don't get me wrong, I have always liked what he accomplished here, but never got the impression UL was big time enough for him. Jesse Evans would be in the same category. Actually, both left the cupboard bare upon departure. If either left a "program" behind we would not be at the bottom of the barrel today. Walker knows the same. _

With Rogers coaching, we could have Tennessee's players and not win 20. As to the 'program' leaving behind 2 players who were 1000 point career scorers is hardly bare. Not stacked, maybe, but sufficient to build around if you bring in the right recruits and coach to the strengths of your players.

Lee inherited Brad Boyd, Dwayne Mitchell and Orien Greene, and you say Evans left the cupboard bare? You just lost whatever credibility you had.

[BayouBaller]

Lee inherited Brad Boyd, Dwayne Mitchell and Orien Greene, and you say Evans left the cupboard bare? You just lost whatever credibility you had. _

Since you are calling out names, don't forget Drama and NCAA. I loved those three and think it is pretty clear you need more than this to win at this level. Transfers (Mitchell and Greene) are a blessing and at times a quick fix but you need more like Boyd and you need some size that can play like these three.

P.S. Where is Jesse coaching now?

[Turbine]

P.S. Where is Jesse coaching now? _

Anytime a coach can parlay success into another job it is a plus to the coach and the University.

In replacing a departing coach, the responsiblity lays at the feet of the athletic director and his new coach to both sustain and build on that success.

jmo

[BayouBaller]

_ Anytime a coach can parlay success into another job it is a plus to the coach and the University.

In replacing a departing coach, the responsiblity lays at the feet of the athletic director and his new coach to both sustain and build on that success.

jmo _

No doubt but where is he coaching now? I am all for advancement. However when Coach Evans left Lafayette looking out the windshield of his booming career the rear view mirror told a different story. Now has the transition plan worked?

Last night tells the story. How many times do we need to hear coaches lament "We were not ready to play?"