Arkansas handles Louisiana 82-68

[NewsCopy]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Both Louisiana's Lady' Cajuns and the Arkansas Lady' Backs traveled here on Thursday looking for an 8-1 start, but it was Arkansas that pulled it off.

Arkansas, one of the most athletic and antagonistic teams in the nation, used superior quickness and aggression to top Louisiana 82-68.

Controlling the ball was the difference, as the Lady'Backs had 12 steals and forced 24 Cajuns turnovers. UA committed only 11 turnovers and out-rebounded UL 37-29.

UL shot 54.2 percent from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range, holding UA to 46.8 percent. The Cajuns shot even better in the second half, 68.2 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from three-point range, but a very deep Arkansas squad physically wore UL down.

Thirteen Lady'Backs saw playing time, with nine playing more than 10 minutes.

Despite the loss, Louisiana (7-2) tied two other clubs, the 1983-84 and 1985-86 teams, for the best record in school history after nine games. The '83-84 squad advanced to a 13-2 record before their next defeat.

Up next for the Cajuns is a home meeting with Sam Houston State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Earl K. Long Gym.

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[Turbine]

I know Arkansas is leading the nation in steals, and ended up getting 29 points off 24 Lady Cajun turnovers, to Louisiana's only getting 10 points off 11 Lady Back turnovers. But I think this might have been the difference in the game.

The Lady Back subs scored 26 points.
The Lady Cajun subs scored 1

Which means starter-to-starter Louisiana was bettter to the tune of 67-56