Written by
The Sports Network TSN
Lafayette, LA (Sports Network) - Elfrid Payton sunk a free-throw with 0.4
seconds remaining in an extra session to lift the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns to a
thrilling 72-71 victory against the Denver Pioneers in a Sun Belt Conference
tilt at the Cajundome.
Josh Brown finished with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds to pace
the Ragin' Cajuns (13-11, 7-3 SBC), while Payton added 20 points and Kadeem
Coleby netted 11 points to go with seven boards.
Royce O'Neale tallied 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds from off the bench
to lead the way for Denver (16-7, 6-4), which also got 12 points from Chris
Udofia. Rob Lewis chipped in 11 points for the Pioneers, while Brett Olson
finished with 10 points.
Denver held the Cajuns to just 37.0 percent from the floor during the opening
frame to earn a slight 33-30 halftime edge.
In the second half, however, the Cajuns shot at a 54.5 percent clip to keep
Denver from pulling away. The Pioneers owned a four-point lead with 4:30
remaining in regulation, but the Cajuns tied the game three times over the
final three minutes and a blocked shot by Udofia with eight seconds on the
clock led to an extra period.
In overtime, the score was once again knotted up with 15 seconds left, but
Denver turned the ball over while working for the last shot. Payton was fouled
and converted his chance at the stripe to give ULL a one-point victory.
The Pioneers shot just 39.4 percent from the field during the contest.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network