HAMMOND, La. - Southeastern Louisiana used an 8-0 run in the final three minutes of overtime to defeat Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team, 62-58, at the University Center on Saturday afternoon.
After falling behind 8-2 to open the game, the Cajuns were able to grab a 21-8 lead at the 4:33 mark with Jasmine Barnes scoring 10 points during a 19-0 run. UL's defense kept Southeastern scoreless for more than 12 minutes with the Lions being called for three shot clock violations.
The Lady Lions were able to cut into UL's lead during the final minutes of the half, but the Cajuns still maintained a 25-16 advantage at the break. In the first half, UL scored 11 points off of 17 Southeastern turnovers. The Lady Lions first half total of 16 points was the lowest first half score for an opponent this season. It was also the first time the Cajuns have held an opposing team to less than 20 points in a half since playing UALR last season on Feb. 28.
The Cajuns had their own scoreless streak spanning the first six minutes of the second half. Southeastern was able to chip into UL's lead to trail 27-25 lead at the 13:28 mark.
Southeastern eventually tied the game at 32-32 on a pair of free throws with 9:00 remaining.
The two teams would trade baskets over the next six minutes with UL building a six-point lead with 2:33 left.
But the Lady Lions would not go away quietly, closing in to within three points, 47-44, at the 2:08 mark. A pair of free throws by Lyndra Bell and Barnes widened the Cajuns' lead to 51-47.
A three-pointer by Kelli Jenkins with six seconds left drew Southeastern to within one point, 51-50. Barnes would hit a free throw on UL's next possession to give the Cajuns the 52-50 lead. But the Lady Lions had one play left with three seconds remaining and Erica Burgess hit a lay-up to send the game into overtime tied at 52-52.
The Cajuns were able to lead the majority of the overtime period, but Southeastern was able to grab a 59-58 lead with 1:06 remaining in the extra frame.
Barnes led the Cajuns with a career-high 23 points. Bell and Jamie Gunter joined her in double figures, both with career-highs of with 12 and 14 points, respectively. Bell narrowly missed her first career double-double after recording nine rebounds.
The Cajuns only hit 29.7 percent of their shots from the floor (19-of-64) and missed opportunities at the free throw line, going 17-for-33 (51.5 percent).
The Cajuns will have the next week off before they face the Lady Lions again on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Cajundome. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. following the men's basketball game at 1 p.m. CT.
UL SI