The Book: 2002-2003 Basketball (Ragin'Cajuns)

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ADVOCATE

BERKELEY, Calif. -- For the University of Louisiana, Michael Southall came through when it counted most.

The sophomore center uncharacteristically struggled from the field (3-for-11) but made his biggest shot of the night, a turnaround jumper for a 54-53 lead with 4:40 left in the game, one the Ragin’ Cajuns did not surrender.

UL held on to defeat the University of Detroit 68-62 Friday in the first round of the EA Sports Golden Bear Classic.

Louisiana (5-2), with its fourth straight victory, advances to today’s championship game against California, an 84-65 winner against Grambling.

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Advertisers-Dan McDonald / Staff Writer

LAFAYETTE - Louisiana head basketball coach Jessie Evans has repeatedly said how important it is to get out to a good start on the road.

The Ragin' Cajuns did that on Friday night in the opening round of the EA Sports Golden Bear Classic, and then took over in the closing minutes in a 68-62 win over Detroit Mercy.

Late Saturday night, they didn't get off to a good start, and Cal's Golden Bears made them pay.

The hosts led by as many as 14 points in the first seven minutes, and the Cajuns rarely got back within single digits after that in a 77-61 loss in the tournament finals.

"When you're on the road, it's imperative that you get going early," Evans said after the Cajuns had one field goal and five turnovers in the first seven minutes. "We were never really under control even though we got back within striking distance a couple of times."

The Cajuns (5-3) got the margin back to seven points in each half, but that was as close as it got thanks mostly to Cal's 56 percent shooting from the field and UL Lafayette's 21 turnovers. Saturday's tourney final was the first time in eight games this year that the Cajuns had more turnovers than their opponents, and the Bears scored 23 points off those mistakes.

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[UNCCTF]

Hey everyone! Just wondering if any Ragin' Cajuns would be making the trip with their team to Charlotte this coming weekend for the Pepsi Classic.

Little bit about us -- We're 4-3 right now, coming off two home wins last week against Miami and Southern Illinois. We're 4-0 at home, and 0-3 on the road. We rely heavily on the outside shot, as we have no one on our team taller than 6-8.

Anyway, if any of you are coming, have a safe trip to Charlotte. I'll be at your game against Colorado on Friday. Good luck!

[Turbine]

Greetings. Some are going I am not.

How do you feel about the losses to Appalachian, Richmond, and Davidson? Nice win over Miami.

Louisiana is 5-3 all the losses were demoralizing, and like you on the road. Our biggest win was over #12 (at the time) Mississippi State.

The team is balanced if performing on all cylinders.

Thanks for checking in.

p.s. let us know about your local forum.

[NinerAdvocate]

http://www.cusa-talk.com/modules/newbb/

Feel free to come join us on our forums. Our site is geared a little different in that it deals team-specific content based upon the team affiliation you choose when you register.

So if you wanna see the board how our fans do, choose Charlotte as your theme and also as your affiliation.

Looking forward to a good game against you.

[EVCajun12]

I wish I was going up, but just will not be able to make it. I watched you guys on espn plus when you were playing Miami ( I think it was last weekend?). I was impressed with you guys. . Saw you had a good shooter and most of your players were athletes.

I am looking forward to the game.

[Turbine]

Congrats to Brad Boyd, he was named to the EA Sports Golden Bear Classic All-Tournament Team.

His 11 three-pointers was best of tournament and he led the Cajuns in scoring both games.

Boyd had 25 and made six threes against Detroit and then had 17 and made five threes against Cal.

[UNCCTF]

There's no shame in losing to Davidson this year, unless you play as stupidly, undisciplined, and sloppily as we did. That was the worst 49er performance I have ever witnessed.

As for ASU and Richmond, those are two games we could easily have won (ASU was three overtimes, and Richmond also went an extra frame). A lot of it, in my opinion, comes down to having marginal inside ability. 6-8 F/C Curtis Withers is only a frosh, and he is improving with every game. A lot of it can also be attributed to having an extremely inexperienced team that just has trouble performing away from Halton Arena.

[1stTake]

So you could easily be 6-1 right now.

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LOUISIANA

PEPSI Classic

COLORADO at Boulder

56 75 Poor Shooting, Poor Play. Live to shoot another day.

LOUISIANA

PEPSI Classic

Loyola

88 77 Anthony Johnson out with a hurt foot, Boyd finds touch, Southall comes to play

LOUISIANA

PEPSI Classic

Charlotte

68 47 Defense, Defense, Defense. Boyd Southall, KJ