Saturday, January 18, 2003

Louisiana-Lafayette defeats FIU, 64-51

IU can't end Louisiana-Lafayette's 16-game home winning streak at the Cajundome, losing 64-51, in Lafayette, LA. Eulis Baez continued leading the Golden Panthers scoring 19 points, his fourth straight game in double figures.

Carlos Morban added 12 and Belco Bamba poured in 10, to lead five FIU scorers. Bamba also recorded a game-high nine rebounds off the bench.

The Golden Panthers (6-11, 0-4 Sun Belt) were again doomed by the three-point basket. FIU, who came into the game letting up seven three-pointers per contest, gave up nine on the night. The Ragin Cajuns (11-6, 3-1 SBC) held FIU scoreless from beyond the arc (0-for-15).

Lafayette's Antoine Landry helped the Cajuns jump out to an 8-2 lead on two three-pointers. ULL would keep at least a six-point advantage throughout most of the first half, thanks to six treys.

FIU was assisted by Belco Bamba's physical inside play. Bamba and ULL's Michael Southall were part of a few entanglements going after rebounds and loose balls.

Baez, who came into the contest leading the Sun Belt with eight double-doubles, scored seven points in the half. The Ragin Cajuns took a 34-20 lead into the break.

Neither team shot well in the first half, but Louisiana-Lafayette, which averages 16 turnovers per game, only had one.

FIU came out on an 11-0 run to start the second half, prompting a timeout by ULL head coach Jessie Evans. The Golden Panther defense held the Ragin Cajuns without a point for the first 4-minutes and 20-seconds.

Bamba again showed his physical style, getting a second foul from Southall and tying up Anthony Johnson, causing a jump ball at the 15-minute mark.

Louisiana-Lafayette opened the lead back to ten, 43-33, over the next four minutes, holding FIU to two Carlos Morban free throws.

After a couple close foul calls went against the Golden Panthers, the Ragin Cajuns went up 51-35 on two treys by Robert Jupiter. Jupiter scored 17 points to lead ULL.

Baez scored six of his 19 points in a two-minute span, including a running dunk, that kept FIU within 12, 57-45, at the four-minute mark. The junior scored 10 points in the second half.

ULL closed out the game winning 64-51, as Morban and Baez would score the last 16 Golden Panther points.

For the game, FIU shot 38-percent (21-for-56) from the floor, while Louisiana-Lafayette was 41-percent (24-58) for the night.

FIU now has 12 days to rest until it travels to face Sun Belt Conference opponent Western Kentucky in Bowling Green.