On aptly-named "Fear the Beard" night, J.J. Thomas scored a game-high 25 points as Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns won their ninth-straight contest after holding on for a 67-64 win over Western Kentucky on Saturday night at the Cajundome.

The Hilltoppers looked to threaten the Cajuns’ streak after erasing an 18-point deficit in the second half, but they never were able to grab a lead the entire contest.

The win moves the Cajuns to 12-14 on the season and 9-5 in the Sun Belt. The win also moves the Cajuns into a tie for the second longest winning streak in the nation.

Joining Thomas in double-digits were Travis Bureau and Josh Brown. Bureau narrowly missed a double-double after tallying 14 points and nine rebounds. Brown also came up short, scoring 11 and pulling down nine boards.

UL took control in the opening minutes, racing out to a 13-3 lead by the 15:39 mark. Bureau and Thomas combined for a 3-for-3 effort from three-point range, as the Cajuns were 5-of-7 from the field. The duo was responsible for all of the Cajuns’ points.

Thomas then broke out on his own, scoring the Cajuns’ next six points to increase UL’s lead to 19-6 with 11:39 left in the half.

UL’s scoring streak slowed down as the Cajuns went 1-for-6 over the next four minutes but still managed to hold a 22-13 lead.

David Perez and Andrews drained back-to-back treys to push the lead to 30-17 by the 5:00 minute mark. Perez’s basket snapped a 0-for-13 field goal streak the junior transfer had been suffering through since the Centenary game (1/19).

The double-digit lead held as the Cajuns took a 38-26 advantage into the break. Brown put back a mid-court shot as time expired.

Bureau and Thomas started off the second half much like the first, scoring the first seven points in the second half to take the largest lead of the contest, 45-28, at the 17:22 mark

But a 9-2 run by the Hilltoppers brought the lead back to 10 points, 47-37, with 12:09 remaining.

The run continued with another seven unanswered points as WKU closed the gap to 47-44 by the 10-minute mark.

The Cajuns could not stop the push from the Hilltoppers as a free throw at 9:00 tied the contest at 49-49.

The score knotted back up at 51-51 before UL tallied a 5-2 run of its own to take a 56-53 lead just under the five-minute mark.

WKU brought it back to within two before Andrews buried a trey with 3:00 left to provide some breathing room. The Hilltoppers responded with a three of their own to make it one-posession. But Thomas converted a three-point play to bring it back to five, 64-59 with 2:09 left on the clock.

Trips to the free throw line by both teams allowed Western Kentucky make it a two-point game, 65-63, with under a minute remaining.

WKU had a chance to tie but was called for a charge with :31.0 seconds left.

A quick foul put Andrews on the line where he made on of two with :29 showing.

In the final seconds, the Hilltoppers put up two shots, one going out of bounds on the Cajuns, the other sending the visitors to the line after a foul. After a make and a miss, UL grabbed the rebound and another quick foul sent the Cajuns back to the line with the score, 66-64.

Brown only connected on one free throw but it was enough as a three-point attempt from WKU sailed wide.

For the game, UL shot 47.3 percent (26-55) compared to WKU’s 45.3 effort (24-53). The Cajuns also controlled the glass, 35-29.

Next up for the Cajuns will be the final home game of the 2010-11 season. UL will take on Denver and honor the team’s three seniors: Travis Bureau, Randell Daigle and La’Ryan Gary. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. CT at the Cajundome.

Athletic Network Footnote:

Click here for the photo gallery of the Jan. 21-22, 2011 Basketball Reunion

Click here for the January 18, 2003 Basketball Reunion  

Click here for the Nov. 1-2, 2001 Shipley Basketball Reunion  

Rebounders Club Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd…noon, Abacus Station, 510 W. Pinhook Rd….lunch is $13
Geaux Cajuns, Karren Hays 288-2163