ATLANTA – The 12-3 Ragin' Cajuns were hot, the 7-8 Panthers were not, so the result was a 77-57 win for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette over Georgia State in Sun Belt women's basketball.
UL Lafayette (12-3 overall and now 5-1 in the Sun Belt) was above average in most categories today. A team that shoots 66 percent from the free throw line made 18 of its first 19 and finished 20 of 23 today (87%). A team that shoots 31 percent beyond the 3-point line (3.8 per game) netted 7 treys today. A team that averages 66 points a game poured in 77 today. A team that beat SEC teams Ole Miss and Arkansas was more than ready for GSU today.
Georgia State (7-8, 2-4 Sun Belt) was below average in most categories today. A team that averages 70.2 points per game managed only 57 today. A team that has struggled from the free throw line (64%) was even worse today (10 of 19, 52.6%). A team that averages 41 rebounds a game could manage only 27 today. About the only stats GSU could win today were most fouls (25-17) and most turnovers (18-12). GSU gave up 26 points off turnovers today.
“I give all the credit to them today,” coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. “They were aggressive on both ends of the court and they were ready to play from the very beginning. We did not step up to their challenge today and they clearly earned this win.”
The Ragin Cajuns hit 3 of their first 6 3-point shots and cruised out to a 20-5 1st quarter lead. They hit 7 of 15 shots and all three free throws. GSU had its worst 1st quarter of the season, scoring just those five points on 2 of 11 shooting (18%) with six turnovers.
GSU did wake up in the second quarter to outscore the Ragin' Cajuns 22-16 by making 7 of its 11 shots to close to 36-27 at halftime.
In the third quarter, GSU watched the visitors open the second half on a 6-0 run to go up 42-27 and extend that to 52-34 with five minutes left in the period. The Ragin' Cajuns shot 8 of 17 from the field and 6-of-6 free throws to build a 60-38 margin after three quarters.
Georgia State got 13 points from Makeba Ponder on 5 of 15 shooting and 10 points and three assists from point guard Madison Newby.
The Ragin' Cajuns were led by guard Jaylyn Gordon's 24 points and seven assist to go with Kia Wilridge's 20 points and six rebounds.
Georgia State will return to action on Tuesday in the Rivalry Series when Georgia Southern comes to the Sports Arena at 5 p.m.
