The Ragin' Cajun Women's Basketball team ended the regular season with a loss at Arkansas State but with four more wins than last year at this time.

The improvement from last year is clear, by the numbers and by the eye test. A regular season record of 18-11 is nothing to balk at. Head Coach Garry Brodhead's crew might have suffered an 87-65 blowout loss to finish their conference schedule, but he's looking toward the tournament and a chance at some hardware.

"I think we will be a different team not playing in this place," Brodhead jokingly said after the tough loss.

A six seed and a date with three-seeded Troy awaits them Wednesday, at 7:30 pm, in New Orleans. If Coach Brodhead and Associate Head Coach Sallie Guillory's team proved anything this season, it's that Troy will absolutely be facing a team willing to fight.

They'll be trying to shake off a rough outing from the floor, shooting only 39 percent (26-67 FG, 3-11 3pt) against Arkansas State. It's not often the Cajuns allow over 50 percent from the floor either, but they gave up 31-57 (54.4%) to an admittedly hot-shooting team. Four players still broke into double figures (Keke Veal 16, Gabby Alexander 13, Jaylyn Gordon 11, Kia Wilridge 10, Simone Fields 10). It simply wasn't their night.

This loss, compounded with the comeback that fell two points short against UALR, could break teams without much will. Brodhead is already licking his chops for the tournament, and his squad certainly isn't one to pout.

Air fare certainly won't be an issue for the Cajuns on their way to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in New Orleans. Not only will they enjoy a quasi-home court advantage, Coach Brodhead simply doesn't want anything to do with planes after travel plans to Arkansas State threw a monkey wrench into their schedule with a long wait before takeoff.

"I'm thinking about walking next time or taking a boat," Brodhead said.

The boat would probably be better, coach.

 

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