MOBILE, Ala. – In a game with 12 lead changes, the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns eventually came out on top, beating South Alabama 58-48 Saturday at the Mitchell Center.
 
South Alabama was led by freshman Kelsey Thompson with 11 points, her ninth game leading South in that category.
 
The contest was Thompson's 10^th game in double digits, tied for most on the team this season. Kiana Anderson totaled eight points in the loss, totaling five rebounds as well. Maggie Robinson also recorded five boards, along with six points.
 
The Ragin Cajuns had two players in double-figures, and were led by Tamera Johnson with 12 points, while Sherry Porter recorded 10 points.
 
South Alabama (6-19, 2-12 Sun Belt) hit the road for the final time this season, traveling to Arkansas State Thursday and Texas State Saturday.
 
GAME FACTS

• The Jags and the Ragin Cajuns got off to a slow start, with South up 8-6 with 4:22 to go in the first quarter.
• South led through the first, up 16-14 after 10 minutes of play.
• The Ragin Cajuns took the lead in the sixth minute of the second quarter, up 20-18.
• Louisiana kept the lead through halftime, leading 29-26 at the half.
• South retook the lead with six minutes to go in the third quarter, up 34-31.
• Back-to-back-to-back threes from Louisiana gave the Cajuns the lead again, this time up 42-34 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.
• Louisiana took a double-digit lead at the end of the third, up 46-34.
• Louisiana stayed on top through the final buzzer, winning the contest 58-58.

 
 
NOTES

• Maggie Robinson holds the longest streak for games started, with 21.
• Kelsey Thompson recorded her 10^th double-digit game, tying Kiana Anderson for the most on the team this season.
• Thompson led South in scoring for the ninth time this season.
• South attempted just five free throws, tying a season-low.
• South also made all five attempts, posting a 1.000 free throw percentage for the second time this season.
• Anderson has recorded a block in four-straight games.  

 
 
QUOTABLE
Associate head coach Dan Presel:
On the tough third quarter:
"Hats off to Louisiana, they do a great job. They are at the top of the league and they are battling for a Sun Belt title. There is always a time in the game to turn it up, and good teams know when to do that. It was tough for us to respond; we're learning and trying to get to where they are right now. Good teams respond and we have to learn how to play through it and make them respond to us."
 
On the team staying positive and motivating each other:
"Basketball is a five-player social contract sport, so you have to be able to play with each other. To be the best version of a team, everybody's got to bring their best version to lift the team. Honestly, we're still trying to figure out how to do that. We need to be better about lifting each other up in the hard times."
 
On what could have been better to hold the lead:
"In the first quarter especially, we moved the ball. Louisiana is a team that helps a lot on defense, so you can't do it by yourself, you need passes, a drive, a kick and a swing. I think we were doing that in the first quarter, generating a lot of good opportunities and good looks. It's been a challenge for us to maintain that for four quarters. Good teams know when to turn it up and we didn't have the proper response."
 
On what's the goal going forward:
"Just improvement. I say it every time, it doesn't matter what your record is, at this time of the year you have to focus on improvement because if you're not improving, you're going in the other direction. For us, it's about winning habits, it's about building the belief that our group can win Sun Belt games."
 
UP NEXT
The Jaguars travel to Arkansas State Thursday at 5 p.m.   
 
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