Brad passes by 1000
Sparkling assist overshadows 1,000-point mark
LOUISIANA La. — It should have been a night that everyone remembered Brad Boyd’s signature shot.
It was a typical high-arching three-pointer, one he launched from the left wing with 16:58 remaining in Thursday’s battle with North Texas. When it ripped through, Louisiana had its 35th player in the school’s storied basketball history with 1,000 career points.
But on this night, none of the 5,116 fans at the Cajundome left talking about Boyd’s historic shot.
They all left talking about one of Boyd’s passes, one that typified a Cajun 94-81 win that wasn’t nearly that close.
“People that don’t watch us play much are always talking about me being a good shooter,” Boyd said, “but I’d rather be known for good passes. I work hard at being a good passer.”
The work paid off in one fleeting, highlight-reel assist that literally had Cajun fans dancing in the ‘Dome aisles.
The home team was already on a 10-0 run nearing the midpoint of the second half when UL senior Laurie Bridges got a hand on a pass on the Cajuns’ defensive end. He wasn’t able to get full control, but he was able to bat the ball toward midcourt and a trio of streaking Cajun teammates.
Orien Greene could have grabbed the loose ball, but at the last second he saw Boyd coming the other direction and the trajectories of Boyd and the ball intersecting. He continued his streak toward the Cajun basket, as did Dwayne Mitchell.
Boyd continued toward the ball, and when he got there fired a perfect reverse, two-hands, between-the-legs, bow-at-the-waist pass to a streaking Mitchell for one of his five second-half thunder dunks.
Lee Venable, Justin Venable, Chris Gannon, T-Boy Hamilton, Bill Delahoussaye and every other former Cajun football deep-snapper would have been proud.
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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com
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Congratulations Brad Boyd tops in 3 pointers
