Men’s Basketball: Russell Named Sun Belt, LSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

Senior guard helped propel Louisiana into first place in SBC West Division

Matt Sullivan | Associate Director of Athletics Communications

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NEW ORLEANS – After helping lead the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball team to its fifth straight win with a pair of one-possession victories on the road, senior guard Cedric Russell was named on Monday as both the Sun Belt Conference and Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association (LSWA) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week in releases by both organizations.
 
Russell, a senior guard, averaged 22.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in last weekend’s two-game series at Texas State, beginning on Friday with a 21-point performance with three 3-pointers in a 62-60 win.
 
He capped off the week with his seventh 20-point game of the season, scoring 24 points with a season-high six 3-pointers in a 74-73 thriller on Saturday that catapulted Louisiana into the SBC West Division lead.
 
Russell went 9-for-17 from the floor and 6-for-9 from long range in Saturday’s finale as the Ragin’ Cajuns marked their first three-game win streak in game decided by one possession since defeating then-UT Pan American, New Orleans and ULM in the 1983-84 season
 
The Alexandria, La., native moved into 29th place on the school’s all-time scoring list in Friday’s game as he passed Anthony Johnson (1,224) and Peyton Townsend (1,240). Russell, who is third in school history with 238 career 3-pointers, is averaging 17.9 points per game for Louisiana to rank third in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Louisiana will return to action beginning Friday when it travels to Jonesboro, Ark., to face Arkansas State at First National Bank Arena. The series opener will tip off at 6 p.m. on Friday with the finale set for Saturday at 4 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN� and 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.