Cajuns Run Past Southeastern LA, 98-81

Jalen Johnson scored a career high 26 points as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns used a 15-0 first half run to erase a 14 point deficit, then cruised past Southeastern Louisiana 98-81 Tuesday night at the Cajundome.

Johnson led five players in double figures with his 10-14 shooting night, including 3-4 from three point range.  He notched his second double double of the season, adding ten rebounds.  Cedric Russell, who was held scoreless in his last outing against UC Irvine, added 16 points for the Cajuns, while Kobe Julien chipped in 12 points to go along with six rebounds, seven assists and four steals.  Tiras Smith added eleven points off the bench, while P. J. Hardy contributed ten.

Southeastern (2-6) was led by Tyron Brewer with 23 points, while freshman Nick Caldwell had 16 for the Lions.  Jeremiah Saunders hit four triples to finish with 12 points.

The Cajuns suffered 15 turnovers in the first half and trailed 38-24 with six minutes to go before intermission.  But Johnson and Julien combined for ten points during the big Cajuns' run that erased the deficit.

Louisiana's lead was 55-52 with 15:33 to play when the the Cajuns went on another big run.  Russell hit a jumper, Dou Gueye had a layup, Smith hit two free throws and then converted a three point play and Mylik Wilson's jumper capped the eleven point swing to increase the Cajuns' lead to 66-52 with 12:51 left.  The Lions never got closer than ten points the rest of the way.

The Cajuns (5-3) shot better than 50 percent in each half, finishing 32-56 from the floor (57.1 percent).  Louisiana also made 25-33 free throws (75.8 percent).  After shooting 50 percent in the first half, the Lions could only muster 13-34 from the field in the second half (38.2 percent.)  Louisiana turned the ball over only four times after intermission.

Louisiana now hits the road to face Arizona State of the Pac-12 this Saturday night in Tempe, AZ.  Gametime is scheduled for 8:30 CST.