Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns fell victim to Florida Atlantic’s three-point shooting success, dropping a 65-62 decision on Saturday afternoon at Earl K. Long Gym.

FAU (5-15, 1-10) committed 29 turnovers, but was 12-for-24 from three point range and out rebounded the Cajuns 44-38.  The Owls previous season-high for three-point baskets was 7-for-25 on Nov. 15, 2007 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic.

UL (5-16, 1-9) struggled from three-point range, making only 2-of-16 attempts and committed 21 turnovers.

The teams entered the second half in a deadlock after the first 20 minutes failed to give either team an advantage.

The score remained tied, 43-43, at 14:37, until FAU found their three-point touch from the first half.  The Owls made three of their first six long range attempts in the second stanza prompting a 12-5 run – giving FAU the biggest lead for either team up to that point, 52-47, with 10:47 to play.

A triple by Carla Stubbs helped the visitors take a 57-50 lead at the 7:11 mark and then a triple by Adel Lizama gave FAU a 60-52 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

UL valiantly tried to get back into the game, as Whitney Dunlap made two from the line with 32.6 seconds remaining to trim the Cajuns’ deficit to 65-59.  FAU missed the front end of a 1-and-1 three consecutive times in the final 30 seconds, but the Cajuns could only make one shot the rest of the way.

Alicia McDaniel led all players with 17 points and 10 rebounds – her second double-double of the season and third in her career.  Jasmine Barnes and Courtney Ratliff each added 10 points.

Lizama led a trio of Owls in double figures with 12 points.

The Cajuns held an early 8-5 lead until back-to-back triples by FAU landed the Owls a three-point lead, 11-8, at 15:29.

UL battled back to take the lead thanks to a 7-2 spurt and held a 19-16 edge at the 7:55 mark. Both teams struggled to protect the basketball, combining for 22 turnovers in the first 12 minutes.

The Owls reclaimed the lead on a triple by Andrea Taylor, but Sonora Edwards answered with her own triple 16 seconds later.  Edwards’ three-point basket was the Cajuns only successful one of the first half, on seven attempts.  The FAU offense benefited from a 6-for-10 effort from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes.

The back-and-forth play continued over the final minutes of the half.  The lead changed hands five times over the final 4:08.  Lyndra Bell gave the Cajuns a 29-28 edge with 90 seconds remaining and she tied the game at 33-33 with a turnaround jumper in the lane as the first half expired.

The Cajuns will hit the road next week with games at Florida International on Wednesday and at Denver on Sunday.  The next home game for UL comes on Wednesday, February 13.  The Cajuns will battle ULM at 7pm at Long Gym.