Cold finishes matched the cold weather on Saturday in a basketball doubleheader against the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana. The women’s game ended with a 64–63 loss and the men lost 84-77.

The women’s team played well for most of the game against Louisiana, leading 35-26 at halftime and holding larger leads earlier in the game. The Cajuns came back during the second half.

With 16 seconds left, a foul was charged to center Cheyenne Forney, and Louisiana forward Tamera Johnson made both free throws to give the Cajuns a one-point lead, which they held onto for the win.

Guards Anna Griffin and Lauryn Pendleton led the team in points, each scoring 15. Griffin also led the team in blocks with one. Forney scored 12 points, with six rebounds and a steal.

Point guard Izzy Higginbottom, ranked in the top 10 nationally for points per game, was held to eight points. Higginbottom led the women’s team in assists with eight.

Guard Wynter Rogers led the team in six defensive rebounds and two offensive.

The Red Wolves men’s team did well to keep up with Louisiana in the first half. In the second half, the defending Sun Belt-champion Ragin’ Cajuns pulled away quickly on the back of a double-double from Cajun forward Hosana Kitenge, with 25 points and 13 rebounds. 

Guard Caleb Fields once again led the Red Wolves in points with 19 and got 12 rebounds. Forward Izaiyah Nelson scored 17 points, and led the team in rebounds and blocks, with 13 and four, respectively. Both players achieved a double-double. 

A big weakness for the Red Wolves was a lack of success shooting from the three, with a three-point percentage of just 18.2% (4-22). The Red Wolves shot 89% from the free-throw line, however.

The men’s team’s next game is on Wednesday, where they will take on Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. The women’s team also plays on Wednesday, against South Alabama in Mobile.

Categories: Sports