Louisiana defeats UL Monroe 62-76
Louisiana Edges UL Monroe 76-62 in Conference Showdown
The Bayou Bengals traveled to the Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Saturday, looking to secure a crucial conference win against their Western Kentucky counterparts. In the end, it was the Ragin' Cajuns who emerged victorious, taking down UL Monroe 76-62.
In what proved to be a high-scoring affair, both teams struggled to find their footing in the early going. The game was tied at 39-39 at halftime, with neither team able to gain a clear advantage. However, it was Louisiana that would come out on top in the second half, building a 20-point lead that UL Monroe could never fully overcome.
For the home team, Krystian Lewis led the way with 16 points, shooting 3-6 from beyond the arc and connecting on 45.5% of his field goal attempts. Lavell Brodnex chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds, while also dishing out five assists to help get UL Monroe back into the game.
On the other hand, it was a strong all-around performance from Louisiana's Jaxon Olvera that would ultimately prove decisive. The junior scored 17 points, including two three-pointers, while grabbing eight rebounds and doling out seven assists.
The Ragin' Cajuns' balanced attack allowed them to weather any potential storms thrown their way by UL Monroe, which struggled with its outside shooting. The home team made just 40% of its three-point attempts, compared to Louisiana's 48%.
As the clock ticked down, it became clear that this one was going to be a long night for UL Monroe. A 20-point lead at one point in the second half seemed insurmountable, and despite a late surge from the home team, they were unable to close the gap.
In the end, Louisiana's victory was a testament to their depth and resilience. With several players contributing to the win, it was clear that this team is more than just a one-man show.
The loss drops UL Monroe's record, but the Ragin' Cajuns' 76-62 win keeps them in contention for conference supremacy. The team will look to build on this momentum as they move forward into their next matchup.
Game Stats
UL Monroe (HOME)
* Field Goals: 15/42 (36.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 9/27 (33.3%)
* 3-Point FG: 6/15 (40.0%)
* Free Throws: 26/33 (79.0%)
* Rebounds: 30 (Off: 7, Def: 23)
* Assists: 10
* Turnovers: 14
* Steals: 3
* Blocks: 3
* Total Fouls: 16
* Total Points: 62
Louisiana (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 28/54 (52.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 18/33 (54.5%)
* 3-Point FG: 10/21 (48.0%)
* Free Throws: 10/18 (56.0%)
* Rebounds: 29 (Off: 6, Def: 23)
* Assists: 19
* Turnovers: 6
* Steals: 7
* Blocks: 4
* Total Fouls: 23
* Total Points: 76