Men’s Basketball: Eaton, Red Wolves Snap Louisiana’s Win Streak, 95-87

Gueye’s double-double not enough as Ragin’ Cajuns five-game win streak snapped

JONESBORO, Ark. – Marquis Eaton scored a career-high 32 points and Arkansas State rallied from a 12-point, first-half deficit and defeated the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball team, 95-87, in a Sun Belt Conference game on Friday at First National Bank Arena.
 
Caleb Fields scored 20 points with Malcolm Farrington coming off the bench to add 13 as Arkansas State (7-9, 4-5 Sun Belt) went 20-for-28 (71.4 percent) from the floor in the second half and finished 33-for-58 (56.9 percent) overall. The Red Wolves used a strong second half from beyond the 3-point line, going 7-for-11 in the second half to finish 11-for-20 for the game.
 
Dou Gueye led Louisiana (13-5, 7-4 Sun Belt) with a career-high 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead four players in double figures. Cedric Russell added 19 points, including four 3-pointers, with Theo Akwuba adding 11 points and Isaiah Richards 10.
 
Louisiana made seven of its first 11 shots to open the game and built a 26-14 lead on Mylik Wilson’s reverse layup with 9:21 remaining in the first half. The Ragin’ Cajuns led 33-22 on Devin Butts’ 3-pointer with 6:03 left in the half before Arkansas State chipped away at the lead.
 
The Red Wolves went on a 14-3 run as a pair of free throws by Norchad Omier tied the game at 36-36 with 32 seconds remaining before a layup by Gueye gave Louisiana a 38-36 lead at the break.
 
Farrington gave Arkansas State the lead for good at 53-50 when he sank a 3-pointer with 13:57 remaining and the Red Wolves used a 10-3 run to build a 68-59 advantage after a free throw by Richards cut Louisiana’s deficit to 58-56 with 12:11 left.
 
Louisiana trailed 87-76 after Eaton hit a pair of free throws with 1:53 left and scored seven straight points to cut the lead to 87-83 at the 1:12 mark. Butts opened the late rally with a 3-pointer before Russell connected on a free throw and Ty Harper converted a three-point play.
 
But Omier answered with a bucket for the Red Wolves, who added free throws and a bucket by Eaton plus a dunk by Keyon Wesley in preserving the win.
 
Louisiana finished 32-for-61 (52.5 percent) from the floor and was 9-for-22 (40.9 percent) from behind the 3-point line. The Ragin’ Cajuns held a 35-24 advantage on the glass, but finished 14-for-22 from the free throw line with Arkansas State going 18-for-22.
 
Louisiana will wrap up its weekend against the Red Wolves on Saturday in a 4 p.m. contest. The game will be available on ESPN� and will be broadcast in the Lafayette area on KPEL 96.5 FM.
 
Season-ticket holders can download their tickets through mobile ticketing from Ticketmaster. Fans can download the #GeauxCajuns app to their smart phone to begin the process. Season-ticket holders who are unable to download tickets or wish to have printed can visit the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the Cajundome to have them printed.
 
For more information on Men’s Basketball tickets, fans can call the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170.
 
The Cajundome will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for the 2020-21 season (unless state COVID-19 policy changes during the season). This will allow for fans and University students to be accommodated this season. The Department of Athletics will quickly communicate any schedule adjustments or changes to attendance protocols through its social media channels and RaginCajuns.com.
 
In the interest of public safety and following the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Best Practices Guide, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Department is implementing a clear bag policy at all venues that host ticketed events effective with the 2020-21 competition season. Information about the clear bag policy can be found by visiting www.RaginCajuns.com/clearbag.