Jags Sweep Ragin’ Cajuns In Sun Belt Play

The South Alabama Jaguars aren't having a stellar year, but they sure know the magic formula against the Ragin' Cajuns in Sun Belt play.

After handing UL a disappointing loss in the Cajundome earlier this season, the Jags defended their home court in the 89-85 win to complete the series sweep for this season. The Cajuns put up a solid fight, but the ride home from Mobile doesn't feel any better just because they came close at the end.

Sure, Shawn Long posted another double-double (26 points, 12 rebounds), and three other Cajuns reached double-figures in scoring. Kasey Shepherd even hit five three-pointers as part of his 18 points. Thirteen players registered minutes on the floor, but South Alabama simply shot the lights out...again.

Head Coach Bob Marlin wasn't making any excuses for his squad in postgame though, "I've never had a team defend this poorly."

With the Cajuns dead-last in the conference in defensive FG percentage, can you blame him for the clear frustration?

The Jags shot over 50% from the floor and three-point territory in their first victory over the Cajuns, and they replicated their numbers on Thursday night as well. South Alabama finished the game 28-48 from the floor (58.3%) and 9-17 from deep (52.9%). Add in 24 of 36 from the free throw line, and you get a season sweep for the Jags.

The problem in both losses came in the second half for the Cajuns' defense, where they allowed the Jags to shoot over 60% from the floor on their way to two victories in conference play. They allowed a ten point, 43-33, halftime lead to slip away on Thursday night to a team who brought a losing record into the matchup.

What makes it the most maddening for Coach Marlin was that his staff tried everything possible to figure out the defensive woes that led to the Cajuns dropping five of their last six games, all of them coming in Sun Belt play.

"We threw everything we had at them," Marlin said after the loss.

The loss drops the Ragin' Cajuns to 11-10 overall and 5-5 in Sun Belt Conference play. For a team with high hopes to defend their Sun Belt Tournament Championship, the answers to their problems need to come quickly if they plan on bringing more hardware to Lafayette.