Cajuns Hold on to Trip North Texas, 64-62

Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns nearly squandered a ten point lead down the stretch last night, but Raymone Andrews' layup with 1:22 to play proved to be the winning points as Louisiana defeated North Texas, 64-62 before 3,673 fans Wednesday night at the Cajundome.

The Cajuns (11-11, 5-3 Sun Belt) led 62-52 after a Josh Brown jumper with 4:38 to go in the game, but North Texas (12-9. 5-3 SBC) scored eight unanswered points over the next 3:08 to draw within two after a Brandan Walton put-back with 1:28 left.  Andrews' layup six seconds later made it a four point contest, but Roger Franklin hit two free throws to once again get the Mean Green within a bucket.

After Josh Brown misfired inside, the visitors had one last chance, but Mitchell misfired on a three pointer and Roger Franklin shot an air-ball on another attempt for the win and the Cajuns walked off the Cajundome floor with the win.

Bryant Mbamalu had a career high 19 points to pace the Cajuns.  The sophomore from Houston hit 7-13 shots, including 3-4 from three point range.  He also added six rebounds.  Mbamalu had thirteen of his points after intermission.  Brown added 12 points and Kadeem Coleby chipped in ten.

Mitchell, the highly-touted freshman who has won the SBC Player of the Week award for three straight weeks, was held to eleven points in just 17 minutes.  He played just six minutes in the first half because of foul trouble and picked up his third and fourth fouls in the first five minutes of the second half.  Franklin led the Mean Green with 15 points, while Alzee Williams and Brandan Walton added eleven apiece.

Neither team shot the ball well.  North Texas was 22-58 from the field, while the Cajuns were 22-59.  It was the first time this season the Cajuns have won when shooting below 40%.  Both teams were under 40 percent in each half.

The Cajuns will try to go over the .500 mark this Saturday when they travel to Fant-Ewing Coliseum to take on Louisiana-Monroe.  Tip-off is at 4:00pm.  The game will be heard on espn1420, Hot 107.9 and 1240 KANE beginning at 3:30.