UL Women Edged By UALR, 68-66

UL sophomore guard Jaylin Gordon

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun women’s basketball team fell at home in Sun Belt Conference action on Thursday, dropping a close 68-66 decision to the UALR Trojans in their 2014-2015 home finale at the Cajundome.

With the win, UALR completes a two-game series sweep, after defeating Louisiana, 67-41, back on December 30, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Cajuns led, 9-7, at the 15:10 mark of the first half, until the Trojans went on a 19-2 run over the next 9:30, to take a 26-13 lead with 5:40 left in the half, before eventually taking a 31-23 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

UALR out-shot Louisiana, 63%-35%, while also out-rebounding the Cajuns, 14-11, over the first 20 minutes.

Alexius Dawn led the way for the Trojans in the first half, scoring 10 points, while Kia Wilridge had 6 points at the break for the Cajuns.

UALR continued to add to their lead in the second half, extending their advantage to a game-high 22 points, 50-28, with 12:53 remaining.

Then it was time for Louisiana to go on a run, outscoring UALR, 32-10, over the next 8:41, to get within six points, 60-54, with 4:12 left.

Dawn came right back with a clutch three-pointer, her fifth of the game, to give UALR a 63-54 lead with 2:23 to go.

Down, 65-56, with only :45 left, the Cajuns refused to give up, getting two big steals, a three-pointer by Robbie Brown, and then a jumper by Jodi Quinn to cut the deficit to two points, 65-63, with :10 left.

The Trojans iced the game at the free throw line however, as they hung on  for the two-point victory.

UALR out-shot Louisiana from the field, 62%-43%, while also finishing with a 27-25 rebound advantage.

Dawn, along with Taylor Gault and Kaitlyn Pratt led the way for the Trojans, finishing with 17 points apiece, while Shanity James added 6 points and 8 rebounds.

In a losing cause for the Cajuns, Wilridge finished with 16 points and four rebounds, while Jaylin Gordon chipped in with 15 points.

View the game box score.

With the victory, UALR improved to 25-4, overall, and 18-2 in Sun Belt Conference play, while Louisiana, dropped to 18-10, overall, and 10-9, respectively.

The Cajuns return to action on Saturday, when travel to take on Arkansas St. in their regular season finale.