MBB Final: Louisiana 68, ODU 60

[NewsCopy]

NORFOLK, Virginia – As the Louisiana men's basketball team heads down the home stretch, they open the final road trip at Old Dominion on Thursday in the Chartway Arena. The Cajuns start a four-game road trip in Norfolk before heading to App State on Saturday.

Louisiana got back on track on Sunday in a convincing 86-60 win over Bowling Green in the final game of the MAC-SBC Challenge. The Sun Belt Conference clinched the inaugural challenge by going 10-2 over the weekend and 15-9 overall.

Five Cajuns finished in double figures on Sunday, led by 17 from Themus Fulks. Hosana Kitenge recorded his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, all on 7-of-9 shooting. Joe Charles (14), Michael Thomas (12), and Kobe Julien (10) also scored in double figures in the victory.

Old Dominion comes into Thursday's action after dropping three straight games and are just 2-10 in SBC play. Despite the results the Monarchs have been competitive, with four of their last six losses coming by single digits. The team's only conference wins have come against Marshall, sweeping the season series. Chaunce Jenkins, an All-SBC Preseason First Team selection this season, leads the offense at 16.0 points per game.

Story Lines
• Louisiana visits Norfolk for the second time in as many years for the second all-time meeting with the Monarchs. The Monarchs got the better of the Cajuns last season in Norfolk, 70-66.
• Louisiana ranks second in the country in three-point percentage defense at .261. In conference action opponents are only shooting .233 from deep against the Cajuns and only twice has an opponent shot better than .250 from deep against Louisiana.
• With 10 double-doubles on the year, Joe Charles is now one of six players in the Marlin era with 10 in a single season joining Shawn Long (four times), Bryce Washington (two times), Jakeenan Gant, Jordan Brown, and Theo Akwuba. Long holds the record with 23 double-doubles during the 2015-16 season.
• Louisiana has won 9 of their last 11 games and won those games by an average of 9.7 points. They're averaging 79.8 points on offense and held opponents to just 70.1 points a game.
• The Cajuns have dominated the three-point line in those 11 games. They've shot 86-for-236 (.364) from deep while holding opponents to just 42-for-192 (.216).
• Louisiana embarks on their second four-game road trip in Sun Belt Conference play. The team went 3-1 the first go around with the only loss coming to Troy. This season the Cajuns are 4-6 on the road, but the six teams to beat the Cajuns on their home floor are a combined 69-9 (.885) this season.

GAME 26 PREVIEW – Louisiana (16-9, 8-4 SBC) vs. Old Dominion (16-7, 7-4 SBC)
Date/Time: February 15, 2024 / 6 p.m. CT
Site: Norfolk, Virginia
Arena: Chartway Arena (8,457)

RADIO/TV
TV: ESPN+
??Talent: Scott Jackson (pxp), Billy Mann (analyst)
Radio: KPEL-FM 96.5 / The Varsity Network
Talent: Jay Walker (pxp)

LIVE STATS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Live Stats: Cajunstats.com
Twitter Updates: @RaginCajunsMBB | #GeauxCajuns

SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Old Dominion leads, 1-0
In Lafayette: None
In Norfolk: Old Dominion leads, 1-0
At Neutral Sites: None
Streak: Old Dominion, +1

Louisiana Athletics
RaginCajuns.com
PRESS RELEASE

[ZoomZoom]

This is one ugly basketball game. On pace for a game in the 50's. 11:10 mark, 13-12 ODU.

[ColoradoCajun]

This is one ugly basketball game. On pace for a game in the 50's.

Yes for sure. We have yet to even make a 3...

[ZoomZoom]

The PA dude is the head cheerleader. Hope nobody from the CD is watching and gets ideas. Guy is jabbering during FTs.

[Turbine]

LA   33
ODU 20

[Turbine]

LA   37
ODU 22

[Million$Mullet]

37-27 Cajuns at the half.

[Turbine]

Geaux Cajuns

[Policarp]

3 point shots are there but are bricks tonight.....

However..... solid Defense, offensive rebounding whilst adapting to a rim attack on offense all working well.

[ragin50]

3 point shots are there but are bricks tonight.....

However..... solid Defense, offensive rebounding whilst adapting to a rim attack on offense all working well.

Kitenge with 11 rebounds in the first half. He really works hard underneath.

[ragin50]

3 point shots are there but are bricks tonight.....

However..... solid Defense, offensive rebounding whilst adapting to a rim attack on offense all working well.

17 point lead is down to 5. Can't afford to lose to the last place team.

[60swerethebest]

Kobe will hit from the field. Please. Good at FT line but we need him to hit some shots.

[Turbine]

LA   49
ODU 41

[Turbine]

Kitenge is a rebounding machine.

[60swerethebest]

Getting on to really nervous time. Somebody get hot. And stop turning the ball over.