LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — J.J. Thomas scored 22 points and Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Louisiana-Monroe 84-75 on Saturday night.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (5-14, 2-5 Sun Belt Conference) trailed 60-57 with 8:56 left before going on an 11-3 run to lead for good. Bryant Mbamalu’s layup capped the spurt for a 68-63 lead with 5:49 to play.
The Warhawks (6-15, 1-6) pulled within one, 74-73, on Steven McClellan’s 3-pointer with 2:37 to play. But Louisiana-Lafayette scored six straight, capped by Raymone Andrews’ free throws with 1:40 left.
The Ragin’ Cajuns made 20 of 25 from the free-throw line, while the Warhawks were just 7 of 16 from the line (43.8 percent). It was Louisiana-Monroe’s worst free-throw shooting performance of the season.