UL Women Complete Epic Comeback To Defeat Appalachian St., 70-66

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun women’s basketball team picked up a key Sun Belt Conference home win on Thursday, defeating the Appalachian St. Mountaineers, 70-66, at the Cajundome.

Trailing, 57-44, with 6:59 remaining in the game, the Cajuns outscored Appalachian St., 26-9 the rest of the way, to secure the epic come-from-behind triumph.

The victory was the sixth in the last eight games for Louisiana, who opened a short two-game homestand.

The Mountaineers controlled most of the first half, and jumped out to a 14-point lead, 26-12, with 7:15 left in the initial half, before taking an eventual 30-22 lead into the locker room at half time.

Appalachian St. out-shot UL from the field in the first half, 40%-31%, but the Cajuns out-rebounded the Mountaineers, 22-20, to keep within striking distance.

Kia Wilridge had 8 points and 2 rebounds at the break for the Cajuns, while Keke Cooper had 7 points and 6 rebounds for the Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers extended that lead early in the second half to a game-high 15 points, 40-25, at the 16:03 mark, until the Cajuns pulled to within 5 points, 49-44, at the 9:26 mark.

Appalachian St. answered the Louisiana run with one of their own however, outscoring UL, 8-0, over the next 2:27, to hold a 57-44 advantage with 6:59 to go.

That's when the Cajuns went on a spectacular 17-4 run, and after Jaylin Gordon hit a short jumper, the game was tied, 61-61, with 1:32 left.

Louisiana wasn't finished yet, as Keke Veal converted on a lay-up, giving them an unthinkable lead, 63-61, before UL converted on four free throws, including two from Veal and two from Gordon, capping off a 23-4 run, and giving them a 67-61 lead with only :24 left.

That amazing run proved to be the difference-maker, as the Cajuns went on to the incredible 4-point win.

Appalachian St. out-shot Louisiana from the field, 44%-37%, but Louisiana finished with a 40-37 rebounding advantage, while also forcing 21 turnovers.Gordon led the way for the Cajuns, finishing with 22 points and 7 rebounds, while Robbie Brown and Simone Fields added 12 points apiece.

In a losing cause for the Mountaineers, Bria Carter had 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Cooper chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

View the game box score.

With the victory, Louisiana improved to 15-6, overall, and 7-5 in Sun Belt Conference play, while Appalachian St. slipped to 10-10, and 5-6, respectively.

The Cajuns return to action, and conclude the two-game homestand on Saturday, when they host UT-Arlington.