WBB Final: Georgia State 50, Louisiana 68
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Women's Basketball team completes a weekend home SBC set on Saturday, January 4 with a 1:00 p.m. contest against Georgia State. Admission is free and open to the public.
The contest between Louisiana (5-6, 1-1 SBC) and Georgia State (7-6, 1-1 SBC) is designated as the annual "Louisiana Salutes" game with all fans encouraged to wear black.
The Ragin' Cajuns look to bounce back from defeat in the SBC home opener on Thursday, James Madison erasing a 13-point deficit and holding on for a 68-63 win.
UL and GSU renew acquaintances, the teams not meeting last season. The last head-to-head matchup came on December 29, 2022 at the Cajundome, won 54-41 by Louisiana.
The Cajuns began the New Year with its highest compliment of players available since Thanksgiving weekend, a total of 11 suiting up vs. JMU. Erica Lafayette leads the way averaging 12.2 points per game and carries a streak of five straight games scoring in double figures.
GSU broke a two-game losing streak by overcoming an eight-point deficit entering the fourth quarter for a 59-51 win at Texas State on Thursday. Preseason All-SBC first teamer Miklya Tolivert is the leading scorer (14.1).
GAME INFORMATION
LOUISIANA (5-6, 1-1 SBC) vs. GEORGIA STATE (7-6, 1-1 SBC)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 4, 2025 / 1:00 p.m.
Site: Lafayette, La.
Arena: Cajundome (12,362)
Radio: The GOAT 103.3 FM/1420 AM
Talent: Dawson Eiserloh
TV:ESPN+
Talent: Dan McDonald (pxp), Eric Mouton (analyst)
Live Stats:CajunStats.com
Social Updates:@RaginCajunsWBB | #GeauxCajuns
Series Record: Louisiana leads leads, 12-4
In Lafayette: Louisiana leads, 6-2
Streak: UL, +2
BOUNCE PASSES
Louisiana seeks to claim its first home conference win of the season and to return above .500 in SBC play.
UL built a lead as large as 13 points in its SBC home opener vs. JMU on Thursday before the Dukes caught up with three-point shooting over the second and third quarters.
Saturday's contest marks the first meeting with GSU since a 54-41 Cajuns win on December 29, 2022 at the Cajundome. The Panthers were not on UL's schedule last season.
It's the fourth consecutive series matchup where Louisiana and Georgia State meet at the Cajundome.
Louisiana looks to snap a two-game losing streak at home. The Cajuns started 4-0 at the Cajundome before losses to Auburn in the Education Game (Dec. 18) and JMU in the SBC home opener (Jan. 2).
UL regained the services of Nubia Benedith and Kamryn Jones plus Skylah Travis made her season debut on Thursday vs. JMU, giving the team 11 available players – the most active since the Nov. 29-30 Big Easy Classic.
Erica Lafayette has scored double digits in five straight games, averaging 15.8 points during the stretch. She's taken over the team lead in scoring at 12.2 points per game.
The 27 points scored off of turnovers vs. JMU marked the most gained by the Cajuns since Nov. 8 vs. Loyola (30).
UL made at least 27 field goals and held foes to 32 percent shooting or lower in both contests last weekend.
Louisiana saw a season-best four players score in double figures on Dec. 18 vs. Auburn. Aasia Sam, who became the team's eighth graduate player after receiving her degree on Dec. 20, produced a season-high 10 points.
UL held its first five foes to 60 or below, has yielded 70-plus only once and is holding foes to 60.7 ppg so far.
The Ragin' Cajuns rank Top 30 nationally in turnovers forced (22.1), turning the opposition over 20-plus times in nine of 11 games, including forcing No. 4 LSU into its season-high tying 21 turnovers.
Louisiana has experience on its side with a combined nine players who are either a graduate or senior.
UL led the SBC in scoring defense – and ranked Top 60 nationally – holding foes below 60 ppg the last two seasons.
SBC Championship all-tournament selection Tamiah Robinson, the team leader in assists (69) last season, now takes full control of the point guard position.
Louisiana was picked 5th in the SBC preseason poll and Jaylyn James was a preseason all-conference selection.
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Re: Womens basketball today 1/4
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