Jags’ Hot Streaks Sinks Cajuns 89-82

The South Alabama Jaguars used a blistering second half to rally from a 15 point first half deficit to defeat the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns 89-82 before a season high 6,105 at the CAJUNDOME.

The Jaguars (5-12, 3-4 Sun Belt) shot 67% from the field (20-30) while holding the Cajuns (10-6, 4-2) to just 31% on 11-35 shooting in the second half.

Ken Williams scored a career high 28 points, hitting 9-14 from the field and 7-10 free throws to lead five Jaguars in double figures.  Freshman Taishaun Johnson had a double double with 15 points and ten boards, while Georgi Boyanov added 14 points while Abdul Lewis and Dionte Ferguson chipped in 11 points apiece.

Shawn Long had 22 points with a career high 22 rebounds to pace the Cajuns, while Brian Williams and Kasey Shepherd scored 13 points each.  Jay Wright added 12 points for Louisiana, but Wright and Shepherd hit just 9-26 from the field in the contest.

Louisiana raced out to a 25-10 lead as Long scored eight early points.  The junior from Morgan City had his 42nd career double double by halftime (14/12).  South Alabama cut the lead to five points, 32-27 after a three point basket by Lewis.    The lead was down to four points after a Boyanev triple with 1.37 to go.  But the Cajuns extended the lead to nine points on a Long layup followed by a Shepherd three pointer at the buzzer to lead 44-35 at the break.

South Alabama slowly whittled away at the Cajuns lead and used an 8-0 run to draw even at 53 with 12:05 left.  The Cajuns got the lead back up to five points midway through the second half, but the Jaguars scored six straight to take their first lead , 61-60 with 8:26 remaining.  The Cajuns erased a two point lead on a Shepherd three pointer with 6:39 left, but a layup by Barrington Stevens two possessions later gave South Alabama the lead for good, 67-66 with 5:53 to remaining.  That jump started a 10-2 Jaguars advantage that stretched the lead to 75-68 with 3:55 remaining and the Cajuns got within one possession only once the remainder of the game.

For the contest, South Alabama shot 55.2% (32-58) and made 7-12 three point baskets.  The Jags finished 18-27 from the free throw line, but were 12-16 after intermission.

Louisiana shot just 39.7 percent (27-68) and made only six of 20 three point tries.  The Cajuns were 22-32 from the free throw line, but only hit 13-20 in the second half.

The Cajuns play the middle game of their three game home stand on Monday when they take on league leader UL Monroe in a 7:15 contest.