A slow start and lackluster shooting by Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team allowed FIU to jump out to an early lead and coast to a 77-51 win at E.K. Long Gym on Wednesday evening.

The Cajuns fall to 8-15 on the season and 3-8 in the Sun Belt. FIU now stands at 10-13 overall with a 5-7 mark in the league.

The Cajuns opened the contest missing their first six field goal attempts as FIU jumped out to an 11-0 lead with 15:25 remaining in the first half.

The Cajuns would shoot 39.1 percent (9-23) for the rest of the half but found themselves trailing 22-37 at the break.

The Golden Panthers had the hot hand in the first frame knocking down 16-of-29 from the floor (55.2 percent).

UL would open the second half, scoring the first five points, but could not crack the Golden Panthers' double-digit lead.

FIU would respond, pushing the lead to 20 points, 53-33, at the 10:25 mark.

Jasmine Barnes led UL with 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting. Alexis Green reached double-digits, chipping in 13.

Four players from FIU reached double figures with Elisa Carey scoring 19 points.

The Cajuns shot 35.6 percent on the evening (21-59), while FIU knocked down 48.4 percent (31-64).

The Cajuns will face UALR for the second time this season on Saturday at Earl K. Long Gym. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Trojans grabbed a 88-38 win in Little Rock, Ark. Saturday's tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT.

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