Press Release
TROY, Ala. – Despite a strong start to the second half, and 18 points from freshman guard Brandi Williams, Louisiana Women’s Basketball (5-13, 3-4 SBC) could not overcome a slow start, falling 90-64, to the Troy Trojans (16-3, 7-1 SBC), Saturday afternoon at the Trojan Arena.
Williams, who finished 5-for-5 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line, also added four rebounds in the most accurate shooting performance of her young career. Sophomore guard Skyler Goodwin added 14 points and eight rebounds, just missing a double-double, and freshmen guard Andrea Cournoyer scored 10 points of her own to give Louisiana three scorers in double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED (First Half): Louisiana scored the first three points of the game, with Williams getting fouled, behind the arc, in Louisiana’s first possession of the game. Williams drained all three free throws, and she followed that up with a three-point basket in Louisiana’s next possession.
But that would be the last time Louisiana would lead in the game, with the Ragin’ Cajuns holding a four-point lead, 6-2, one minute into the action. From there, started by Troy’s Sky’Lynn Holmes hitting a jumper, the Trojans went on a 19-0 run over the next seven minutes to extend its lead, and when the quarter came to an end, Troy lead 29-11, with Louisiana having just cut it under 20 points in the final seconds.
Troy pushed its lead back to over 20 points within the first minute of the second quarter and maintained that 20-point advantage for the next eight minutes. During the final two minutes Louisiana would score the last five points of the half, with sophomore guard Joymra Mathis scoring three of the five points and the final stretch meant that Louisiana had cut the Troy lead to 49-32 as things rolled into the break.
HOW IT HAPPENED (Second Half): Louisiana came out of the break, and put up its best fight of the game, coming out on a 13-4 run over the first three and a half minutes, and when Cournoyer hit a running layup at the 6:27 mark, Louisiana had cut the score to 53-45. Troy then score a basket, pushing the lead back to 10 points, but a steal and fast break basket from Goodwin immediately dropped the deficit back to eight points.
Troy then took a timeout and when the Trojans returned from the break, they once again went on a big run, outscoring Louisiana 15-2 over the next five minutes, and when the quarter came to an end Troy was back ahead by 20-plus points taking a 72-51 lead into the final quarter.
The Trojans spent the fourth quarter maintaining and padding its lead, and despite Louisiana cutting it under 20 points for one final time, with Williams draining two free throws at the 8:53 mark, the Trojans would hold their lead and come away with the 90-64 win.
GAME NOTES: Williams 5-for-5 shooting performance is the best shooting percentage by anyone on the squad this season with at least five attempts; This was the ninth game this season for both Williams and Cournoyer that they have scored at least 10 points; Junior forward Kendall Bess scored a career-high nine points.
UP NEXT FOR THE CAJUNS: Louisiana returns to the CAJUNDOME on Tuesday, Jan. 29, for the first of three games at home this upcoming week when UT Arlington comes into town for a 6:30 p.m. tip.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE: Both season tickets and individual game tickets for Louisiana Women’s Basketball are available for purchase by either heading to ragincajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the CAJUNDOME, (337) 265-2357, or by visiting the office in person.
FOLLOWING THE RAGIN’ CAJUNS: Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@RaginCajunsWBB) to stay up-to-date with Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Basketball.