Women’s Basketball: UL women pull off stunning upset of ASU

Chad Washington, Daily Advertiser, Feb. 16, 2014 

UL players celebrate after defeating Arkansas State 77-76 in their Sun Belt game in the Cajundome on Saturday. / Leslie Westbrook/The Advertiser

Click here for digital photo gallery of UL vs. Arkansas State Women and Men’s Basketball Games.

UL head women’s basketball coach Garry Brodhead says there’s too much negativity in the world today and if everyone would think positive, everyone would be much happier.

Well, after getting a win for the first time since mid-January, almost anyone would turn into Mr. Positive Energy.

The Ragin’ Cajuns snapped an eight-game losing streak by knocking off Arkansas State 77-76 on Saturday night at the Cajundome, beating a Red Wolves squad that had won 12 of its last 15 games.

“Our kids played hard. Even at the end when things were not going our way, you can see our kids pulling together,” Brodhead said. “It’s about positive energy. There’s too much negative energy in the world today. I hate to preach on it, but there is. I don’t have it. I work my kids hard and I believe that we’re going to do good.”

Arkansas State took a 73-69 with 59 seconds left on a pair of free throws by Jalen O’Bannen. Jalyn Gordon scored on a short jumper from the left side and was fouled, making the free throw to cut the deficit to 73-72 with 42 seconds left.

Gabby Alexander, who scored a career-high 22 points in the contest, intercepted a Red Wolves pass at mid-court and drove in for the basket to give Louisiana a 74-73 lead with 28.6 seconds left.

The lead was short-lived as Arkansas State worked the ball down low to Jane Morrill, who pivoted and scored a layup to give the Red Wolves a 75-74 lead with 16.5 seconds left.

After a series of timeouts, the Cajuns worked the ball to Arceneaux, who took several dribbles before being bumped by O’Bannon as she was going up, getting the ball to fall as O’Bannon was being whistled for the foul. Arceneaux then knocked down the free throw to put Louisiana ahead, 77-75 with 5.1 seconds left.

“We played hard and kept fighting,” guard Brooklyn Arceneaux said. “We did what we needed to do to win. The energy and everything… the crowd hyped us up. It was amazing.”

Inbounding from the baseline, Arkansas State got the ball into Flanery’s hands and she drove the lane, being fouled by Robbie Brown with 0.1 seconds left. Flanery made the first of two free throws, but her second attempt was long and Sylvana Okde grabbed the board to end the game.

Alexander led the Cajuns with 22 points while Arceneaux (18 points) and Gordon (14) each finished in double figures. Aundrea Gamble led the Red Wolves with 24 points while Morrill added 16 and O’Bannon had 15 points and 12 rebounds