Lafayette, LA (Sports Network) - A dunk by Mychal Ammons with 20 seconds
remaining in the second overtime proved to be the difference as the South
Alabama Jaguars held on to defeat the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, 91-89, in a Sun
Belt Conference thriller at the Cajundome
Ammons came off the bench to register a double-double for the Jaguars (8-7,
5-2 SBC) with 10 points and 11 rebounds as the team won for the second time in
three outings. Augustine Rubit led the way on offense with 26 points, adding
nine rebounds and three blocked shots, while Dre Conner and Antoine Allen both
produced 19 points, the latter accounting for nine rebounds. Freddie Goldstein
tacked on 11 points for the visitors.
Louisiana (6-12, 2-5) was paced by Elfrid Payton with 26 points, seven assists
and three steals, but still the team bowed for the fourth time in five tries.
Bryant Mbamalu contributed 19 points, Shawn Long 14 points, 14 rebounds and
five blocks, while Steven Wronkoski added 12 points.
USA opened the meeting on a 9-3 run and thanks to a 51.9 percent shooting
effort from the floor in the period, the team led at the break by a 40-30
score.
In the second half Louisiana turned it around with a sensational 61.5 percent
shooting effort, providing the hosts with a six-point advantage in the period,
but Elfrid had a chance to give the Ragin' Cajuns the win with a pair of free
throws late, but be missed the first which resulted in the game going into
overtime knotted at 74-74.
In the first extra session neither team was able to get ahead by more than
just two points, with a layup by Allen at the 45 second mark again locking the
score at 82-82, requiring another five-minute period where Ammons eventually
hit the game winner.
In a game that featured eight ties and just as many lead changes, the Ragin'
Cajuns cost themselves a shot at the win due to 24 turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network