Forward Joey Chamma protects the perimeter against the Cajun offense. Chamma had 2 points and 10 rebounds in Friday’s win against Louisiana.

In front of a packed house on Senior Night, the Arkansas State Red Wolves crushed the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 81-58, ending the regular season with a statement win.

The Red Wolves did not disappoint in their second matchup against the Cajuns this season.

The team showed control across the floor, with big contributions from the entire roster, outscoring the Cajuns’ reserves 34-23.

Kicking off the half, both teams opened with strong energy, with the Red Wolves winning the tip. Red Wolves guard Chandler Jackson, however, immediately turned the ball over, giving the Cajuns their first possession.

The Cajuns quickly moved the ball upcourt, looking to set up the team’s first play, but the Red Wolves pressured the entry pass into the paint, forcing the Cajuns to pull further away from the basket.

From the right side of the floor, Cajuns Forward Dariyus Woodson attempted a three-pointer but missed. The Red Wolves secured the defensive rebound, pushing the ball into a fast break.

The play ended in the hands of guard Matt Hayman, who knocked down the first basket of the night from the perimeter.

Despite Hayman’s early success, going 3-for-5 in the first half from three-point range, both teams struggled from beyond the arc overall. The Red Wolves connected on only 11 of 32 attempts, and the Cajuns managed just six of 22, forcing both teams to rely on their taller players to make points near the basket.

Red Wolves guard Joey Chamma saw only half of his typical playing time. At 5-foot-11, he struggled to get clean looks inside against taller defenders, missing every shot attempt made outside of free throws. With the bigger players taking over near the basket, Chamma’s usual scoring opportunities were limited, reducing his impact on the floor.

Later in the half, a feed between two Red Wolves players threaded through the Cajuns’ defense, setting up the Red Wolves’ Forward Jackson Ellingsworth to finish at the rim. These kinds of passes appeared repeatedly throughout the Red Wolves’ play and highlighted how the team’s ball movement forced the Cajuns to rotate defensively and led to open looks at the basket.

Head coach Ryan Pannone said unselfish ball movement boosts player morale.

“I think ball movement, passing, creates joy for everyone because it makes everyone feel a part,” Pannone said. “When we do it, we are really good.”

The Red Wolves’ unity as a team helped them close the half 37-22. Returning from the locker room, the Cajuns seemed to have picked up where they left off, yet the Red Wolves came in on overdrive.

Almost as soon as the teams hit the court, five different Red Wolves players contributed to back-to-back early scoring.

The energy in the arena only intensified when, following a defensive rebound, Hayman powered through the Cajuns’ defense for a slam dunk.

Hayman’s last in-game dunk came two months ago against Texas State, showing just how long it had been since fans had seen him rise above the rim.

“I used to dunk all the time, but I got old,” Hayman said.

Guard T.J. Caldwell led the team in scoring with 19 points, fueled by rebound support from the Red Wolves. Three players finished the game with double-digit rebounds, which showed that where the Red Wolves struggled beyond the arc, they made up for it with strong rebounding.

Not only did the Red Wolves excel at defensive rebounding, but they also defended effectively without fouling.

Pannone also said the team defended the rim well in the team’s previous matchup against the Cajuns, committing only two fouls at the rim in that game and three in Friday’s win.

Caldwell continued to be a force in the paint, and players like guard Royal Blue Smith also made late contributions, finishing with two assists despite just 11 minutes of playtime.

Momentum from the Red Wolves carried into the final moments, bringing them to their 81-58 victory. This outstanding performance by the Red Wolves not only ended Senior Night on a high note but also marks the program’s 20th win of the season.

Ryan Pannone said that this achievement highlights the staff and players on the team.

“Our staff has done a really good job of recruiting good talent and helping coach them up,” Pannone said. “Our players have done a really good job of being 15 individuals who have found a way to come together and win games.”

The Red Wolves will take this win into the Sun Belt Conference championship, carrying this selflessness and joy as they look to make a strong postseason run with their first tournament game on Thursday.

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