Wright poured in 10 points during a 28-1 first-half ending run that dug Louisiana (6-2) out of a double-digit deficit and into a double-digit advantage that stood the entire second half.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns trailed 30-16 with 6:29 remaining in the opening stanza before the aforementioned run turned the tables on the Cowboys (2-5) and opened a 44-31 halftime advantage.
 
Frank Bartley produced 21 points and Jonathan Stove scored 20, joining Wright in leading Louisiana and reaching the 20-point mark. Bryce Washington turned in a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns outrebounded the Cowboys 48-14 with a 24-5 edge in the second half key to preserving the win. Louisiana’s aggressiveness on offense led to a 31-for-36 showing at the free throw line, with Wright (12-for-13) and Stove (12-for-14) pacing the effort.
 
After starting the contest 3-for-13 from the floor, the Ragin’ Cajuns finished 11-for-15 down the stretch of the opening half. Louisiana converted each of its final six field goal attempts during the game-changing run over the final 6:29.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns posted their first win in Lake Charles since December 2004 (W, 71-70 at Lake Charles Civic Center). The win ended a string of 11 straight wins by the home team in the I-10 rivalry.
 
The 6-2 record is the best start for Louisiana since opening with an identical mark in the 2013-14 campaign which ended in an NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
The 20-point triumph is the Ragin’ Cajuns’ fourth straight win by double figures. It’s the largest margin of victory in a non-conference game held on an opponents’ home floor since topping Charlotte 68-47 in December 2002.
 
Due to the slow start shooting, the Ragin’ Cajuns were in catch-up mode throughout the first half.
 
Louisiana had cut McNeese’s lead to 9-7, but treys by James Harvey and Jamaya Burr were key to an 8-0 run that opened a 17-7 edge for the Cowboys. McNeese later put up seven points during the seven-minute mark alone to stretch its lead back to double digits at 28-15.
 
Stove spun in the lane for a layup at 5:34 and the Cajuns deficit was sliced into single digits at 30-22. The comeback was completed after Wright converted both chances on free throw opportunities at 4:09 and 3:54 to forge a 30-all tie.
 
Wright blocked a shot on the ensuing possession then hit a triple on the other end at 3:21 to vault the Ragin’ Cajuns into the lead at 33-30.
 
McNeese ended a string of 19 unanswered points by Louisiana with a free throw make from Thomas Howard at 2:31 to cut the Cajuns lead to 35-31. Wright began the final surge for Louisiana when he converted a three-point play at 2:18 and that was followed by a pair of Jerekius Davis baskets at 1:34 and 0:56 which moved the advantage into double digits.
 
Louisiana returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 7 when it hosts Loyola-New Orleans in a 7 p.m. contest at the Cajundome.