PRESS RELEASE
LAFAYETTE – Another double-double from sophomore Ty’Reona Doucetand sophomore Jomyra Mathis’ first-career double-double, were not enough for Louisiana Women’s Basketball (1-2, 0-0 SBC) as the Ragin’ Cajuns fell to the Dillard Bleu Devils (3-0, 0-0 GCAC), 72-69, in the Fifth Annual Education Game at the CAJUNDOME, on Wednesday.
Docuet finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Mathis added a career-high 13 points and 11 rebounds, as Louisiana outrebounded Dillard 37-to-31. Louisiana held an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but a 14-0 run from Dillard brought the Bleu Devils back, and Louisiana could not overcome the late run, dropping its second game of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED (First Half): Doucet began the game hitting the first basket of the game, after grabbing a rebound. But Dillard, in a game that would be all about runs, ripped off a 9-0 run to pull ahead by seven points, midway through the quarter. But Louisiana responded with a run of its own, sparked by freshman Diamond Morrison’s three-point basket, and when the quarter came to an end Louisiana had pulled head and held a slim one-point lead, 17-16.
Much like the first quarter, Dillard went on another long run, taking a quarter-high seven-point lead at the 5:50 mark when Dillard’s Alyssa Washington hit a jumper. But a steal from junior Caroline Rivera led to a layup from Doucet and Louisiana was off and running, going on a 14-4 run to end the half and take a 34-31 lead into the break.
HOW IT HAPPENED (Second Half): The second half began was a back-and-forth affair, with Dillard coming back to tie things up twice through the period. But at the 3:48 mark of the quarter, freshman Andrea Cournoyer hit a jump shot to tie things up at 44-44, and it sent Louisiana on a 10-1 run to end the third quarter and the Ragin’ Cajuns took an eight-point lead into the final quarter of the game.
It was here that Dillard won the game, beginning the quarter on a 14-3 run, after a three-point basket from Cournoyer to start the quarter. That 14-3 run pushed Dillard in front of Louisiana, and at the 6:12 mark the Bleu Devils took a 60-57 lead. Louisiana did not give up, after losing its lead, and they stayed with Dillard over the next two minutes, taking the lead for one final time at the 2:25 mark, 65-64 on two Mathis free throws.
But Dillard responded and down the stretch they outscored the Ragin’ Cajuns 8-4, to take a three-point lead into the final seven seconds. Louisiana did have one last chance to tie things, but Cournoyer’s shot fell short and so did Louisiana, losing 72-69.
GAME NOTES: Doucet’s double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds, 10-for-13 shooting) was the third straight this season for the Louisiana center and the fifth of her career; Mathis recorded her first career double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds, 4-for-9 shooting), and the points and rebounds were both career-highs.
UP NEXT FOR THE CAJUNS: Louisiana remains at home for its next game, when on Monday, Nov. 19, the Jackson State Tigers come to the CAJUNDOME for a 6:30 p.m tip. The game will once again be televised on Cox Sports TV and broadcasted on ESPN1420.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE: Both season tickets and individual tickets for Louisiana Women’s Basketball are available for purchase by either heading to ragincajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the CAJUNDOME, (337) 265-2357, or by visiting the office in person.
FOLLOWING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS: Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Basketball.