Cajuns comeback falls short against Vikings, 55-50

For the first half, it was about as bad as it gets.

Louisiana's Ragin Cajuns went without a field goal during the final 14 minutes of the first half, going 0-15 during that stretch and couldn't quite recover, falling to Cleveland State 55-50 at the CAJUNDOME.

Louisiana held a 12-9 lead after a David Perez three pointer, but then the Cajuns went ice cold and the Vikings went on a 13 point run to take a lead they would never relinquish.  The only points the Cajuns would get the remainder of the half were on free throws, but hit just 6-13 before halftime.  The Cajuns also did not get an offensive rebound in the first half.

Only good half court defense by Louisiana kept them in the game as they trailed 33-18 at the half.

The Vikings took their biggest lead at 18 a minute and a half into the second stanze, but then the Cajuns went to work and two three pointers by guard Randall Daigle and good free throw shooting got the Cajuns back into the game.  A Daigle floater in the lane capped a 22-5 run and the Cajuns had tied the game with 7:09 left.

But with the score tied with three minutes left, a three pointer followed by a steal and two free throws got Cleveland State back on top for good.

The Cajuns shot 45% in the second half and actually outshot Cleveland State for the game 34.0%-33.9%.  LaRyan Gary, in his most extensive action in two seasons, led the Cajuns with 19 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes.  Daigle added 12 and JUCO transfer Scottie Farrington had 8 blocked shots in 16 minutes.

Cleveland State is off to its first 5-0 start in school history.  The Cajuns fell to 1-3 with the loss and now will play 9 of their next 11 games on the road, beginning Tuesday at Houston.