Cajuns Roar Past Buccaneers 121-80

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns opened their 2018-19 season on a high note, racing past the University of the Virgin Islands 121-80 before an announced crowd of 3,655 at the Cajundome.

The Cajuns blistered the nets at a 67.1 percent pace, hitting 47-70 field goals.  Louisiana was 14-24 from three point range and shot 13-19 from the free throw line after starting just 2-8.

JaKeenan Gant and Malik Marquetti shared scoring honors with 19 points each.  Newcomer Jeremy Hayes added 16 points, while Jerekius Davis added 14.  Justin Miller scored eleven points and Cedric Russell chipped in ten as the Cajuns placed six in double figures.  Marcus Stroman flirted with a triple double before finishing with eight points, eight rebounds and ten assists in 23 minutes of work.

Harold Cardwell led the Buccaneers with 26 points, while Elijah Bush scored 25.  Quinton Bush was the third man in double figures with ten.

The Cajuns led 22-16 with 13:26 left in the first half, but Hayes hit three straight layups to start a 13-1 run to increase the lead to 35-17 with 10:12 to go before intermission and took a 54-29 lead into the locker room.

The Cajuns never led by fewer than 22 points in the second half and closed the game on a 26-7 run to end the game.

Kristian Lafayette scored eight points in his Louisiana debut and junior Mason Aucoin scored a career high seven points for Louisiana.

The Cajuns will face a much tougher test Friday when they travel to #6 Tennessee.