Louisiana defeats UL Monroe 85-79

Louisiana Edges UL Monroe 85-79 in Conference Thriller

In a hard-fought battle, Louisiana outlasted visiting UL Monroe 85-79 at the Cajundome on Friday night, securing a crucial conference victory.

The game saw both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage until late. At halftime, home team Louisiana led 37-36, setting the stage for an intense second half.

In the final minutes of play, UL Monroe's defense stiffened, but the Ragin' Cajuns' offense continued to fire on all cylinders. Joshua Lewis led the charge with 26 points, including 2 three-pointers, and hauled in 9 rebounds. His performance was a key factor in Louisiana's decisive win.

Meanwhile, Krystian Lewis paced UL Monroe with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, but his team struggled to find consistency on offense throughout the game.

Despite their balanced effort, UL Monroe couldn't overcome Louisiana's superior shooting percentage. The Ragin' Cajuns shot 49.0% from the field, while UL Monroe managed just 54.0%.

The difference in free throw shooting proved costly for UL Monroe, as they converted only 73.0% of their attempts to Louisiana's 53.0%. This disparity ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the home team.

In a testament to the conference's competitiveness, both teams played with poise and determination. However, when it mattered most, Louisiana's depth and shooting proved too much for UL Monroe to overcome.

The win propels Louisiana forward in conference standings, while UL Monroe will look to regroup and bounce back from this tough defeat.