The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns opened up the 2018-2019 season on Tuesday night at the Cajun Dome and they fought hard but fell to the Lamar Cardinals in overtime 79-77.

As they say, the game of basketball is a game of runs and this game was no different. The first quarter didn't start out ideal for the Cajuns as they turned the ball over nine times and trailed 20-11 to the Cardinals.

As we got into the second quarter Louisiana was able to trim the lead down and getting back into it at 34-30 at the half. They still trailed but they were starting to play better and coach Garry Brodhead's squad was playing tough as this is a very young team (no seniors).

As the second half opened up the Cajuns would continue to fight and got on a nice little run by outscoring Lamar 21-17 and the teams were knotted at 51 heading into the fourth quarter.

It was played close back and forth between both of these teams right down to the wire in the fourth quarter as freshman Brandi Williams hit a step-back jumper that gave the Cajuns the lead at 69-68. On the next possession, the Louisiana defense got a stop, a rebound, and Ty Doucet was fouled with 30 seconds remaining. Doucet made one of two and on the next Cardinals possession they tied the game at 70. Louisiana had a chance to win it at the buzzer with seven seconds left on the clock but the shot was missed and we went to overtime.

As the game went into overtime it was again, back and forth and the Cajuns found themselves up 77-76 with 15 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, Lamar hit a shot, got fouled, and made the free throw to give them a 79-77 lead with eight seconds left. With no timeouts Louisiana pushed the ball up the floor and Skyler Goodwin pulled up from 25 feet and the ball went in and out as UL fell 79-77.

Despite the miss, Goodwin had a team high in points tied with Ty Doucet netting 18 points each. Doucet also added 15 rebounds to complete the double-double and freshman Brandi Williams poured in 16 points. One of the things this team will absolutely have to clean up are the turnovers as they committed a total of 33 of them.

With the loss the Ragin' Cajuns fall to 0-1 and will hit the road to take on McNeese this Sunday at 2 pm.

 

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