Ragin’ Cajuns romp past Colorado State at Gulf Coast Showcase, 91-73

Toledo awaits in semifinals

ESTERO, Fla. – JaKeenan Gant tied a season-high with 19 points to lead five players in double figures and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns opened the game on an 18-5 run and never looked back in defeating Colorado State, 91-73, on the first day of the Gulf Coast Showcase on Monday at Hertz Arena.

Malik Marquetti added 16 points while Justin Miller added 13 and a team-high nine rebounds as Louisiana (2-2) forced 20 turnovers while holding Colorado State (3-1) to 11 of 34 (32.4 percent) in the first half.

With the win, Louisiana advanced to the semifinals to face the winner of the Florida Gulf Coast-Toledo on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Gant, who grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots, opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers for Louisiana while forcing the Rams into a pair of shot clock violations on their first two possessions.

After Colorado State cut the lead to 6-5 on a 3-pointer by Anthony Masinton-Bonner, Louisiana put the game away with a 12-0 run that began with a bucket by Miller at the 15:51 mark.

Gant and Marcus Stroman each followed with a pair of free throws for the Ragin’ Cajuns before freshman Trajan Wesley sank a pair of free throws and scored on a driving layup that gave Louisiana a 16-5 lead.

The Rams chipped away at the lead, cutting the deficit to 25-19 on a basket by Kendle Moore with 5:49 remaining in the first half, but Louisiana would push the lead up to 39-24 on a 3-pointer by Marquetti with 1:11 left.

The Ragin’ Cajuns took their biggest lead of the game – 71-43 – on a three-point play by Jeremy Hayes with 9:24 remaining and never let CSU get closer than 18 points the rest of the night.

Hayes added 11 points for Louisiana, which finished 27-for-56 (48.2 percent) from the floor, 13-for-29 (44.8 percent) from behind the 3-point line and 24-for-30 (80 percent) from the charity stripe. Jerekius Davis added nine points for Louisiana with Stroman tying a season-high with four steals.

Lorenzo Jenkins and Adam Thistlewood scored 17 points each to lead Colorado State with J.D. Paige adding 14.

Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsMBB), Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsMBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Men’s Basketball.