The Ragin' Cajuns kept up with Arkansas State all the way until the end, when they were forced to play without their two best players.

Keke Veal (25 points, 11-16 FG) left the game with three minutes still left to play, and Kia Wilridge (12 points) was hampered with four fouls in the second half. Head Coach Garry Brodhead continues to have to adjust to the officials' whistles, and Thursday night they ended up on the wrong side of things.

"We got in foul trouble, tick-tack fouls...that just takes us out of our rhythm," Brodhead said after the game. He also admitted working without Veal and Wilridge was far from ideal, "As a coaching staff, we were not prepared for that."

The Cajuns actually shot better, percentage wise, than Arkansas State on the night. The problem was, the Red Wolves got 16 points at the free throw line and nailed 10 out of their 21 three point attempts.

Aundrea Gamble was the main culprit for A-State, collecting 30 points (9-17 FG, 4-6 3-pt, 8-8 FT) and 11 rebounds for a monstrous double-double. She helped her team stay undefeated in Sun Belt Conference play, and she earned more of Brodhead's respect.

"She was at the foul line all night. When she gets to the foul line, she's pretty much unstoppable," Brodhead said.

It was an unfortunate ending. Brodhead's team put forth plenty of effort, collecting 44 points in the paint and 18 points off turnovers. They just fell victim to some unfortunate foul calls late in the game.

The Cajuns will try to shake off the loss by Saturday, when a talented Little Rock team rolls into the Cajundome.

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