Three-point barrage helps Cajuns roll past UTA, 76-64

ARLINGTON, Texas – Jerekius Davis came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns used a pair of first-half runs to defeat UT Arlington, 76-64, in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball game on Thursday at College Park Center.

Justin Miller notched his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds while Cedric Russell added 14 points and JaKeenan Gant 11 as Louisiana (16-10, 7-6 SBC) buried 12 3-pointers and won its third straight game. UTA, which shared first-place honors with Texas State two weeks ago, dropped its third straight game and fell to 12-15 overall and 8-6 in league play.

Davis finished 7-for-10 from the floor and made his first five 3-pointers as Louisiana used a 16-4 run in the first half and led 46-21 at halftime. The junior hit three straight long-range jumpers during a 12-0 run that saw Louisiana extend a 34-19 lead to 46-19 advantage late in the first half.

Louisiana used a 16-2 run early in the first half, beginning with a pair of free throws by Russell followed by a 3-pointer by P.J. Hardy.

After UTA’s David Azore hit a jumper to cut the lead to 13-10 with 12:59 remaining in the first half, Louisiana scored the next 11 points that included a pair of 3-pointers by Hardy and one from Miller that would extend the lead to 24-10.

UTA attempted to come back in the second half, getting to within 48-34 on a bucket by Azore with 15:25 left, but Davis and Russell would respond with 3-pointers to push Louisiana’s lead back to 20 and the Mavs would get as close as 12 points in the final seconds.

Louisiana held UTA to 24-for-56 (43 percent) from the floor, 5-for-20 from behind the 3-point line while forcing 15 turnovers that led to 22 points. Trajan Wesley dished out a season-high six assists for the Ragin’ Cajuns while Gant grabbed seven rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.

Radshad Davis led UTA with 17 points with Azore adding 13. UTA’s starting lineup combined for 19 points with team’s top two scorers – Brian Warren and Edric Dennis – going a combined 6-for-21 from the floor.

Louisiana will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 23) when it travels down I-35 to face SBC co-leader Texas State (21-6, 10-4 SBC) at Strahan Arena. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m., and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

TICKETS AVAILABLE
• Tickets are available online at RaginCajuns.com using Account Manager, or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2357.

CAJUNS CARE TICKET INITIATIVE
• Help Louisiana Athletics continue to give back! After a successful start during the 2018 football season, the Cajuns Care program will allow Ragin’ Cajuns fans the opportunity to purchase Louisiana men’s basketball season tickets for $20.
• Tickets purchased through the Cajuns Care program will be donated to local charitable and philanthropic initiatives, including Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana, the United Way and area military servicemen and servicewomen.
• Fans and supporters of Louisiana men’s basketball can find the option to purchase Cajuns Care season tickets online, by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the Cajundome (337-265-2357) or visiting in-person.

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