Lady Cajuns Radisson Inn Classic CHAMPS
Colorado Springs, Colo.- With a 57-39 win on Saturday afternoon over Montana State, Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns claimed the 2004 Radisson Inn Classic championship.
The tournament championship is the first in-season tournament victory for Louisiana since the 1983-84 season.
After allowing 72 points in the opener, the Lady Cajuns played terrific defense on Saturday, holding MSU to just 39 points on 23.8 percent shooting.
Louisiana held a five-point lead heading into the second half thanks to a second consecutive superb first half effort from Anna Petrakova. Petrakova led the Cajuns with 12 points and eight rebounds in the first 20 minutes and recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds in both first halves of the Radisson Inn Classic. Her 10-of-14 shooting (71.4%) far exceeded the rest of the Cajuns 8-of-54 (14.8%) first half shooting percentage.
Petrakova finished the game with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Alexandra Kotta chipped-in 11 points, her second straight game in double figures.
Both Kotta and Petrakova were named to the RIC All-Tournament team, with Petrakova named Most Valuable Player.
After the Bobcats' Whitney Connolly hit a basket to open the second half, the Cajuns went on an 8-0 run to build a 30-19 lead. Kotta scored on three straight possessions before Petrakova’s offensive rebound and put-back.
MSU came back with a 7-0 jaunt to close within four points, 30-24, with 14 minutes to play.
The Cajuns countered with a 23-9 surge to open-up a 53-33 lead. The run last 8:31 and was keyed by patient ball movement on offense and stifling defense.
Sherita Anderson scored her first basket as a Cajun to start the surge, which included six points from Ashley Blanche and five points apiece from Bernette Tolston and Petrakova.
The Cajuns dominating run ended with only 4:30 on the clock. MSU couldn’t muster a counter attack, as UL slowed the pace and ran out the clock.
UL played terrific defense in the game’s opening five minutes but couldn’t push past a 2-2 score thanks to eight turnovers in their first 10 possessions
Three-pointers from Tolston and Alicia McDaniel, followed by Petrakova’s third basket helped the Cajuns take a 12-6 lead midway through the first half.
A 7-0 run by MSU helped the Bobcats take their first, and only lead of the game, 13-12, at the 6:29 mark.
The Cajuns responded with a 10-0 spurt, thanks to a pair of free throws by Melissa Bratton, three more baskets by Petrakova and a jumper from McDaniel.
UL’s 22-13 lead was cut to 22-17 after MSU closed the half scoring the last four points.
The Cajuns will travel to Anchorage, Alaska on Sunday to participate in the 2004 Great Alaska Shootout. UL will meet the host and defending champions, Alaska Anchorage, on Tuesday.
LOUISIANA SI
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