LAFAYETTE, La. – A 21-0 run to open the second half gave the Ragin' Cajuns all the separation they would need, as they defeated the ULM women's basketball team 68-55 Saturday afternoon at the Cajundome.
"We're disappointed," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "We thought we had a great opportunity here today. We had some really big moments that were costly for us."
The Cajuns scored the first seven points of the game inside the first two minutes, but ULM responded. The Warhawks cut the gap to two at 7-5 on a 3-pointer by Whitney Goins and a jumper from Diamond Brooks. The Cajuns pushed the lead back to five, and eventually led by six at the end of the quarter, 15-9, on a 3-pointer by Alexandria Goodly.
In the second quarter, ULM responded. Gara Beth Self knocked down a 3-pointer and Kierra Crockett finished a jumper in the lane to tie the game at 19 with 5:17 left in the half. Brooks would tie the game again at 22 on a traditional three-point play with 4:08 left in the half. ULM took its first lead at 24-22 on a turnaround shot by Self from the left elbow, and led again at 26-24 on a jumper by Brooks. The Cajuns tied the game at 26 at halftime.
The game turned in the third quarter. The Cajuns came out with full court pressure, and the Warhawks struggled to find an answer. The Ragin' Cajuns went on a 21-0 run to open the half, with Andrea Cournoyer scoring all nine of her points in the game on the run, as they took a 47-26 lead.
ULM cut as close as 12 points late in the third quarter. However, the Cajuns pulled back away, using an 8-0 run to push the lead back to 20 at 57-37, and then had an 11-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to take their largest lead of the game at 68-42. ULM scored the final 13 points of the game to cut the final margin to 68-55.
Brooks tallied her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"Diamond continues to grow and continues to get better," Williams said. "We actually thought we missed her some today. I thought she could have been more productive this afternoon, but we're excited about her growth and want her to continue to capitalize on her opportunities in the paint."
Goins added 13 points and connected on three 3-pointers on the day.
"I'm excited for Whit," Williams said. "I think anytime you play a Louisiana-rival team, you get amped up. Whit seemed focused and seemed locked in. We want to continue that same mindset moving forward for the rest of our conference play."
Self also reached double figures with 10 points. Amber Thompson picked up a career-high 10 rebounds while Kierra Crockett had eight points and nine rebounds.
Ty'reona Doucet led the Cajuns with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. She was the only Cajun to score in double figures as 10 different Cajuns scored in the game.
The Warhawks return to Fant-Ewing Coliseum at noon Saturday to host Arkansas State. For tickets, call 318-342-HAWK or visit ULMWarhawks.com. Links to live video, audio and stats are available at ULMWarhawks.com.
