Louisiana-Lafayette Slips Past Huskies, 86-76

Destini Texada records third double-double

Destini Texada (Photo by Anthony Vasser)

BATON ROUGE, La. – The HBU women’s basketball team dropped a tough 86-76 decision against Louisiana-Lafayette in the consolation game of the Sue Gunter Classic, hosted by LSU Wednesday afternoon.

After spotting the Ragin’ Cajuns an early two points with free throws, the Huskies scored eight straight points, thanks to a three-point play by Ernesta Griciunaite and a three in the corner by Raquel Jones. Entering the first media timeout, the Huskies led the Cajuns 13-8 as Brittany Maxey prepared to go to the line for two shots. After a quick start in the opening of the game, both sides went cold as HBU outscored ULL 2-1 entering the second media timeout and led midway through the opening half, 15-9.

The two teams entered halftime tied at 35 as Josie West pulled down a rebound and got the bucket in the paint as time expired.

The Huskies, who shot 44 percent from the field in the half, was led in scoring by Dominique Mayberry with eight points, followed by Raquel Jones with six. Jones had the team’s lone three pointer. On the boards, both Shirolacille Holloway and Destini Texada pulled down four rebounds.

The Cajuns were led by Jasmine Barnes with eight points, while Mercedes Johnson had seven. Barnes also led ULL with six rebounds and was tied with Jamie Gunter for the team lead with two steals.

ULL started the second half on a 6-0 run, causing the Huskies to call a timeout three minutes into the half. Entering the first media timeout, the Huskies could not get the baskets to fall as they trailed the Cajuns 46-39. A Princess Jeanmard three from the left corner made the score 51-47 in favor of the Cajuns midway through the second half. The Huskies erased the deficit by going on an 8-4 run with nice drives by Mayberry and Taniqua Hollis.

The Huskies took a timeout with six minutes left in regulation and down eight points, but could get no closer than that the rest of the way.

Texada recorded her third double-double in her short collegiate career, scoring 19 points and adding 12 rebounds. The 19 points are a new career high. Mayberry also set a career-high, scoring 14 points, as she also added three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Holloway also came close to a double-double, as she had nine points and eight rebounds.

Four Cajuns finished in double-digits, led by Alexis Green with 23 points. She was 11-of-16 from the line and also had seven rebounds and six assists. Barnes finished with 20 points and also led the team with 11 rebounds. Johnson and Nicole Morris had 11 points apiece. As a team, ULL shot nearly 50 percent from the floor in the second half.

The 76 points are the most scored since recording 101 against Huston-Tillotson in mid-November.

HBU (2-9) will have a brief rest before travelling to the USF Shootout. The Huskies will play East Carolina on Saturday at 12 pm and either South Florida or North Carolina Central the following day at either 12 or 2 pm.