The Ragin’ Cajuns’ stay in Pensacola was cut short after a 1-1 affair in the Sun Belt tournament. We beat a fairly familiar foe in the first round, but quickly turned around to get spanked the next day.
Our first round opponent was none other than our sister school, Louisiana Monroe. We were 2-0 on the year against them but both games went down to the wire.
This game would be no different as neither team could get the better of the other through regulation. Overtime was necessary to see which team was worthy to continue on to the second round.
It was Mo El Moutaouakkil in the clutch for the Cajuns. He scored seven out of the team’s 10 overtime points, outscoring the Warhawks as well.
He led the game in scoring with 28 points and six rebounds. He was aggressive all game, continuously attacking the rim and drawing fouls. This resulted in eight made free throws on 12 attempts.
Surprisingly, El Moutaouakkil wasn’t the only one piling in buckets. It’s rare that he gets help in the scoring department but Michael Thomas showed up big in a game where every bucket mattered.
His insertion to the starting lineup was an incredible decision by Interim Head Coach Derrick Zimmerman. He scored 21 points on 8-15 shooting, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
He was unconscious particularly in the second half where he dropped 16 of his points and knocked down four 3-pointers.
To put into perspective how close this game was, the stats were almost identical. Both teams shot 41% from behind the arc, 64% from the free-throw line, had 28 points in the paint and 16 fouls a piece.
The Warhawks shot 46% from the field to the Cajuns’ 45%, 31 rebounds to our 34, and 11 total turnovers to our 10. There wasn’t a single discrepancy in the statsheet that gave either team a favorable advantage.
It was a matter of making timely plays at the most critical moments, and the Cajuns proved to be more opportunistic.
The Cajuns would win in overtime 73-69 and move on to the second round to play against the Old Dominion Monarchs.
The energy was rising in Pensacola for the vermilion and white. We just beat our arch-nemesis, the weather was nice, there were beaches, sunshine and happiness. What could go wrong?
Everything. We got dominated, dismantled and dispersed.
This game was black and white compared to ULM. There were no similarities, no identical stats, nothing but agony.
In short, the Cajuns fell 67-49 to the Monarchs in the second round. The first half was pretty close with the Monarchs up 29-23 going into break.
Now, usually in school, breaks are coordinated perfectly so we can get well-needed rest. It gives us time for our brains to relax. This is purposely done to get us off-guard so as soon as we get back, all hell breaks loose. Then, we have no choice but to cry in bed.
This is exactly what happened to the Cajuns. They came out of halftime relaxed and all-smiles, then Old Dominion dropped five exams, three papers and a presentation on their heads.
We were simply outmatched and overwhelmed. The Cajuns shot just 35% from the field, and a whopping 11% from behind the arc.
However, the biggest emphasis was the fact that we were undersized. The Monarchs scored 10 more points in the paint and secured 43 total rebounds to our 24.
The offensive glass was an issue the Cajuns had no solution for. Guard Sean Durugordon and 7’ center Caelum Swanton-Rodger had 20 total rebounds with eight of those being offensive.
Not to mention that duo also combined for 38 points and five blocks. It was El Moutaouakkil once again leading the way for Louisiana.
He played 37 minutes, finishing with 22 points on 9-15 shooting and four rebounds. Thomas also pitched in 14 points and six rebounds, but there wasn’t much offensive production outside of that.
After a deep three from Thomas with 10:20 remaining in the second half, the Cajuns had momentum down 46-42. They were in position to go on a run.
Except they ran in the wrong direction. It was the Monarchs that went on a 21-7 run to seal the game shut. In those final 10 minutes of basketball, the Cajuns only mustered two made field goals.
Although it was a disappointing way to go out, Louisiana gave it their all and represented the school well in their journey all season and throughout the tournament.