Red Wolves Dominate Cajuns, 83-56

Going into Saturday afternoon's first place battle in the Sun Belt Conference, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns knew they would have a tough battle against the pre-season favorite on their home court.

Arkansas State showed the Cajuns they have some work to do.

The Red Wolves (10-3, 4-0) built a 12 point lead in the first quarter and built on that lead throughout as they handed the Cajuns (10-3, 3-1) their first league loss, 83-56, Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.

The Cajuns never led in the game and trailed 9-7 with 6:25 left in the first quarter, but the Red Wolves then went on a 14-2 run to take a 27-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Cajuns cut the lead to seven points on five different occasions in the second quarter, the last with 2:27 remaining, but Arkansas State took a double digit lead, 41-30 at halftime.

The third quarter was much like the first as the Red Wolves used a 15-4 run to built a commanding 60-38 advantage and led by 19, 64-45 after three quarters.

Keke Veal moved into fourth place on the all-time scoring list with an 18 point effort, while Simone Fields was the only other Cajun in double figures with 15.  The Cajuns shot just 34.3 percent for the game, making only 24-70 shots, including 2-17 from three point range.

Arkansas State, meanwhile, was 29-52 from the field (55.8) and 7-18 from beyond the arc.  Khadija Brown-Haywood paced Arkansas State with 22 points and 18 rebounds.  Amanda Lawson also had 22 points, while Aundria Gamble added 12.

The Cajuns continue their four game road trip on Thursday when they travel to Georgia Southern.