Cajuns’ Shooting Woes Continue. Fall to Jags 83-70

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns suffered through another cold shooting night, while, in the second half, South Alabama was red hot.

The Jaguars overcame a six point deficit and went on to beat the Cajuns 83-70 Saturday at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, before an announced crowd of 2,786.

The Jaguars (13-16, 8-10 Sun Belt, got 25 points from guard Ken Williams on 8-16 shooting from the field, including 3-6 from three point range. Nick Stover added 13 points and Shaq Calhoun added eleven, all in the second half.

Shawn Long had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Cajuns (15-12, 11-7). It was his 21st double double of the season and 73rd of his career. Bryce Washington had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Johnathon Stove added eleven points.

The Cajuns shot just 37.7% for the game and were a dismal 2-15 from three point range, with Steven Wronkoski making both of them.

“We have to have some guys step up and make some shots,” head coach Bob Marlin said. Last year we were the best three point shooting team in the league. This year we’re last…with the same guys.”

The Cajuns’ defense was solid in the first half and Louisiana used a 13-3 run to turn a 19-15 deficit into a 28-22 lead with 4:19 left in the first half. South Alabama made just one of nine from the field to end the half as the Cajuns took a 32-26 lead into the locker room.

The second half belonged to the Jaguars.

South Alabama trailed 42-40, with 12:58 left after a Bryce Washington layup. A Shaq Calhoun basket just 13 seconds later started an 18-2 spurt as the Jaguars hit seven of their next eight shots to make the score 58-44 with 8:22 to play.

The Cajuns never got the deficit back into single digits.

“We lost our defensive intensity early in the second half,” Marlin said, “but then it seemed like every shot they took found the mark. Williams was big for them in the second half.”
Williams was 6-8 from the field in the second half, including a trio of three pointers.

Louisiana now heads home for their final regular season homestand beginning Thursday at the Cajundome against Georgia State.