Jan. 5, 2006

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. - Venice Adams (Luling, La.) tallied 13 points and Tyesha Lowery (Arlington, Texas) added 12, but it was not enough to carry DU over Louisiana-Lafayette in its Sun Belt conference opener. The Ragin' Cajuns defeated the Pioneers 76-50 Thursday evening in Lafayette, La. With the loss, DU evens to 6-6, while Lafayette moves on to 10-3.

Heading into the game, the Pioneers were aware of the tough task they faced, opening conference play against the defending West Division champions on the road. With the fifth-lowest field-goal percentage defense in the nation (33 percent), Lafayette came out swarming on both ends of the court, limiting Denver's shot attempts and controlling the boards. Adams, Denver's leading rebounder, only grabbed one board for the game as Denver finished with a season-low 22.

"Lafayette came out and executed really well while we played scared for the first eight minutes, which was all it took," said head coach Pam Tanner. "We committed too many turnovers and got pounded on the offensive boards, giving them too many opportunities. Our shooting percentage was solid, but we were not able to get off as many shots as we needed to keep us in the game."

The Pioneers struggled to take care of the ball in the first opening minutes, committing six turnovers while the Ragin' Cajuns opened a 22-6 lead. Sara Benham (Muleshoe, Texas) got the Pioneers on the board with a three, however Lafayette sharpshooter Ashley Blanche was hot from behind the arc, shooting 3-of-4, while as a team, the Ragin' Cajuns hit 6-of-10 in the first half.

At the break, Lafayette held a 41-25 lead with Blanche pacing the Ragin' Cajuns with 13 points. So far this season, Louisiana-Lafayette boasts a 7-0 record when leading at the half. With the start of the second period, Denver stepped up the defensive intensity, however Lafayette was able to maintain the edge for the win.

For the game, Lafayette hit 31-69 for 44.9 percent, while the Pioneers finished 20-of-48 for 41.7 percent. The Ragin' Cajuns out-rebounded DU 45-22 and committed 12 turnovers while the Pioneers suffered 16.

For the second leg of the opening week in SBC competition, the Pioneers head two hours east where they look to rebound in a 1 p.m. contest against the University of New Orleans. DU travels to North Texas next Thursday before returning home to host Florida International Jan. 14 at 2 p.m.