The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns women’s basketball season got underway last week, first with a close loss on Monday, Nov. 4 against the Northern Illinois Huskies, 57–55, followed by Friday night’s home opener win against the Loyola New Orleans Wolf Pack, 74–50.
Both opponent programs had decent track records recently; the Wolf Pack beat the Cajuns in exhibition last November 76–47, and the Huskies looked convincing in their first match Oct. 27.
The Cajuns roster nine senior players, most of which are graduates who have been with the program most of their collegiate careers. Head Coach Garry Brodhead spoke in the preseason about his confidence in the team’s veteran experience and attitude.
“It’s a different team compared to thirteen years ago when we started five freshmen,” Brodhead said. “I like what I see. They’re very talented. It’s just a matter of trying to put this thing together, the chemistry of them.”
When asked about what side of the ball he was most anticipating a growth through the season for, Brodhead seemed focused on the impact of the defensive side.
“I think both of them are gonna be important, but I think the defensive side is gonna be extremely important. I think we’re gonna be better in the interior of our defense. In the post play, I see we’re better athletes, we’re longer, we can rebound. We got some kids that are real, real quick,” Brodhead said.
“It’s gonna take time because it’s important to us, and on the perimeter we have a lot of returners that can guard, so you’ll see that’ll be pretty solid.”
This prediction of physical ability bore perfectly in the Cajuns’ first game. The Cajuns dwarfed the Huskies in stats like points in the paint (26–10), second chance points off offensive rebounds (15–5) and steals (14–4).
Exemplifying this was Cajuns guard Tamiah Robinson, whose 12 rebounds led all players and secured a double-double statline.
The offensive rebounding numbers for the Cajuns really stood out over the first three quarters, and the nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter reflected that. The Huskies came out completely focused on defense and three-pointers, though, and it definitely worked for them.
The Cajuns went scoreless and gave up three huge threes in a very sloppy last eight minutes of the game full of misses and turnovers to completely blow their lead.
This opened the door for the Huskies’ Brooke Stonebraker to both put the game away on a tip-in with just 29 seconds left and block the Cajuns’ would-be tying shot.
Brodhead also spoke about what he expected to see from the offensive end.
“I think we’ve got better shooters. Erica Lafayette can shoot lights-out. She’s one of the best shooters I’ve seen in a while, so we’re excited about her,” Brodhead said.
Again this prediction would come to bear, as against the Wolf Pack Lafayette caught fire and put up 24 points, leading all players in the contest, including five three-pointers.
Three made three-pointers in as many minutes inundated the defense during the third quarter and was pivotal in maintaining the Cajuns’ huge lead.
The Wolf Pack also attempted and made a normal rate of three-pointers, but for a team’s volume and efficiency to all come from one player like Lafayette’s really changes a team’s complexion, and the tape bears that out; her gravity and the attention paid to her affected the game.
Senior Lanay Wheaton hit a pair of threes while totaling 14 points for the game, along with four assists. Ashlyn Jones also contributed in her starting spot, nabbing nine rebounds (leading the team) and scoring eight points.
“Everybody else has improved to me,” Brodhead said. “They’ve been working hard. That’s the biggest thing. I think we’ll be able to score more and I think our defense is gonna be able to do some things to take some things away from teams.”
“Our first games, we’re gonna be playing a lot of people to get them used to playing with one another and see what lineups are gonna really work.”
Playing with intensity on defense and setting up more three-point shots looks like a good game plan for this roster. Next up for the team will be a pair of home games, first against the Nicholls Colonels on Friday, Nov. 22, then against the New Orleans Privateers starting Tuesday, Nov. 26.