LITTLE ROCK – A fast start by Louisiana put Little Rock in an early hole and struggles from the free throw line kept the Trojans there, dropping its 2017-18 Sun Belt Conference opener 77-63 to the Ragin' Cajuns Friday evening at the Jack Stephens Center.
With the loss, Little Rock falls to 3-11 on the season and 0-1 in conference play while Louisiana improves to 11-3 overall and 1-0 in Sun Belt play.
Little Rock ended the game shooting 46.6 percent from the floor, hitting 27 of its 58 attempts, while going 6-of-13 from the three-point line (46.2%). The Trojans held Louisiana, the nation's 20th-ranked offensive team, nine points under its season average as the Ragin' Cajuns shot 45.6 percent from the floor (26-of-57) and were just 5-of-13 (38.5%) from three-point range.
But Louisiana held major advantages in two key categories, pacing the Cajuns to the win. Little Rock was outrebounded 45-26, including 15-7 offensively, and hit just three of its 12 free throws (25.0%), contrasted by Louisiana's 20-of-24 (83.3%) from the line.
Little Rock saw a balanced offensive attack as six players scored eight points or more, led by 14 from
Anthony Black on 6-of-8 shooting.
Andre Jones added 13 points for the Trojans with
Ryan Pippins finishing with nine points on the night.
The trio of
Oliver Black,
Damir Hadzic and
Ben Marcus each added eight points for Little Rock with Marcus adding a career-high eight rebounds.
Jaizec Lottie led the Trojans with four assists as O. Black notched a pair of blocks.
Louisiana came out of the gate racing, scoring the game's first six points and 18 of the first 20, building a commanding 18-2 lead at the 13:22 mark. Little Rock was able to pull within 12 at 20-8 near the midway mark of the opening half, but the Ragin' Cajuns answered with another extended run, pushing their lead to as many as 23 at 38-15 and taking a 42-24 lead into the half.
Ironically, Little Rock posted a better shooting percentage than Louisiana after the first 20 minutes at 42.3 percent to 41.2 percent, but the Ragin' Cajuns put up eight more shots than the Trojans and held a 26-14 edge in rebounds, including a 12-5 edge offensively.
Little Rock found some intensity early in the second half, using back-to-back threes from A. Black and Hadzic to spark an 8-2 run, pulling to within 12 at 44-32 with 17:55 remaining. The Trojans kept it under 20 for the majority of the second half, including holding the Ragin' Cajuns without a field goal for nearly eight minutes.
But Louisiana's efficiency at the charity stripe, and the inefficiency of the Trojans, kept the comeback at bay. When the dust settled, the Ragin' Cajuns outscored Little Rock by 17 at the free throw line, providing the difference in the 14-point defeat.
Two players finished with double-doubles for Louisiana as JaKeenan Gant posted 20 points and 10 rebounds with Bryce Washington adding 15 points and 19 rebounds for the Ragin' Cajuns, who extended their winning streak over Little Rock to four games. Louisiana added a win to their series total, holding a 28-21 all-time mark over the Trojans.
Little Rock's Louisiana two-pack continues Sunday when the Trojans welcome ULM to the Jack for a New Year's Eve clash. The Warhawks are 6-6 on the year and 0-1 in Sun Belt play, falling to Arkansas State in Jonesboro 75-64. Opening tip against ULM is scheduled for approximately 4:15 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's game prior.
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