Cajuns Defeat Valpo

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If nothing else, Louisiana’s basketball team continues its series of “All-Name Opponent” games today.

The Ragin’ Cajuns, who have already faced Dayton and Xavier on the road this month, open play in the Fiesta Bowl Classic against Valparaiso in the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.

The Cajuns (3-3) will be looking to secure a berth in the tournament finals when they take on the Crusaders (2-5) in today’s 2:45 p.m. (CST) opener. Tourney host Arizona meets Liberty in the other semifinal at 5 p.m. today.

The two winners advance to a Tuesday 8:30 p.m. championship game, with the first-round losers playing in the consolation contest at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The Cajuns, after a season-opening loss to nationally-ranked Georgia Tech, are only a handful of points or a couple of minutes away from a five-game win streak. Head coach Jessie Evans’ squad was tied with both Dayton and Xavier in the final two minutes of those games before losing 66-59 and 78-74 respectively.

Evans said that today’s test won’t be any easier against a Valpo squad that has been in postseason play six of the last seven seasons including five NCAA Tournament appearances.

“They’re used to having success,” Evans said. “They’ve played a lot of very good teams and they’ve been in every one of those games.”

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com

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Crusaders lose tourney opener

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Cedric Williams had a career-high 23 points, and Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Valparaiso 95-71 in the first game of the Fiesta Bowl Classic today.

Liberty and No. 5 Arizona were paired in the nightcap.

Brian Hamilton and Brad Boyd had 17 points apiece for the Ragin' Cajuns (4-3), who avoided their first losing streak of the season.

Reserves Dwayne Mitchell and Laurie Bridges contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Joaquim Gomes led Valparaiso (2-6) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Dan Oppland had 14 points. The Crusaders, out of action since Dec. 13 because of finals and the holidays, dropped their third straight and sixth in seven games.

Williams, who also had eight rebounds, scored 10 points during a 12-3 surge that took the suspense out of the game. His last basket in the run lifted the Ragin' Cajuns to an 85-64 lead with 4:57 remaining.

The Cajuns shot 62 percent in the first half.

They were ahead 25-10 just 4:35 in and took a 34-16 lead with 9:20 left in the half when Mitchell made a 3-pointer and a fast-break layup 18 seconds apart.

Valparaiso never got closer than the 47-36 halftime score after that.

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Valpo Falls To Louisiana-Lafayette Despite Gomes' Fourth Straight Double-Double Tucson, Ariz. - Kikas Gomes scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Valpo (2-6) was defeated by Louisiana-Lafayette 95-71 in the opening round of the Fiesta Bowl Classic. The double-double was the fourth straight for Gomes, who made seven of 11 shots. Cedric Williams tallied 23 points to pace five Ragin' Cajuns in double figures. Dan Oppland added 14 points for Valpo. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-3) scored the first five points of the game and outscored the Crusaders 12-2 in the first four minutes. Brad Boyd netted six points during the stretch. The Ragin' Cajuns gradually increased their advantage and led by 18 (34-16) with 9:20 left in the half. Oppland scored six points to key an 18-11 run as Valpo trimmed its halftime deficit to 47-36. Boyd, who finished with 17 points, opened the second half by draining three straight free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. The Ragin' Cajuns extended their lead to 62-44 as Brian Hamilton scored five of his 17 points during the run. The rest of the story

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I knew this would be the UL's next opponent, Arizona beat Liberty 107-91. Like I said in the confidence game I think the Cajuns have a 5% chance of winning.