Rubit Leads Jaguars to Win Over Cajuns, 88-64

Before Louisiana's road game Thursday at South Alabama, Ragin' Cajuns head coach Bob Marlin said Augustine Rubit would be the Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference this year.

Then Rubit showed why Marlin made that statement.

Rubit scored 17 first half points en route to a career-high 34, and South Alabama used a 9-0 run to end the first half en route to a 88-64 win over the Cajuns at the Mitchell Center in Mobile.

The Jaguars (15-9, 12-4 Sun Belt) led just 30-28 with 3:26 remaining in the first half, but Dre Connor sparked the 9-0 run to put the Jags in control at halftime 39-28.  The free throw line enabled the Jaguars to build the lead as they were 11-16 in the half, while the Cajuns were just 1-1.

Rubit picked  up right where he left off early in the second half, scoring six points in the first five minutes as the Jaguars extended the lead to seventeen points, 51-34.

The Cajuns got no closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

Rubit's 34 points came on 11-16 shooting and 12-16 from the free throw line.  He also led South Alabama in rebounds with 12.  Mychal Ammons also had a double double with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Jaguars dominated the boards 44-28.

Elfrid Payton led the Cajuns with 17 points.  Kasey Shepherd added a career high 16, while Shawn Long tallied 11.  Long led the Cajuns in rebounding with eight.

The Cajuns return home Saturday night to take on Florida Atlantic at the Cajundome.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:15pm.