Louisiana Grabs Road Win Over UT Arlington, 92-89

The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns roared out to a commanding lead and withstood a furious UT Arlington rally over the final four minutes to record a 92-89 win at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas Thursday night.

The Cajuns (14-9,. 5-5 Sun Belt) got career performances from three different players in taking the road win.  Shawn Long scored a career high 31 points, Elridge Moore snagged a career best ten rebounds and freshman Hayward Register came off the bench to score seventeen points to help the Cajuns to the victory.

The Cajuns went on an 18-0 tear in the first half to turn a 15-13 lead into a commanding 33-13 bulge.  The lead got as big as 25 points, 40-15 before the Mavericks (9-13., 4-6) closed the gap to fifteen points at halftime.

The Mavericks got to within eight points early in the second half before the Cajuns went on another tear to increase the lead to 20 points and still had a fifteen point lead at 85-70 before UTA put on a furious rally with three point baskets and seven missed free throws by the Cajuns.  A goal tending call made it a two point game with 1.8 seconds left and Xavian Rimmer hit one of two free throws for the final margin.

Elfrid Payton had a double double for the Cajuns with 22 points and ten rebounds as the third Cajun in double figures.  Rimmer scored eight points and Moore seven, all in the second half.

Lonnie McClanahan had a career high 31 points for UTA and added twelve rebounds.  Jamel Outler scored 18 of his 19 points after halftime and Reger Dowell, the league's leading scorer was held to just eleven points before fouling out with 4:05 remaining.

The Cajuns will look for the road sweep on Saturday when they travel to San Marcos to take on Texas State, who defeated UL Monroe Thursday night.