MBB Game 35 Preview: CIT Second Round (at SHSU)

Game 35: Louisiana (21-13, 13-7 Sun Belt) at Sam Houston State (26-8, 15-3 Southland)
CollegeInsider.com Tournament - Second Round (Tournament Schedule)
Saturday, March 21 • 2:00 p.m. (CT) • Johnson Coliseum (6,100) • Huntsville, Texas
Game Notes: Louisiana | Sam Houston State
Live Stats
Radio: KHXT 107.9 FM Video: CollegeInsider.com
Rosters: Louisiana | Sam Houston State
Statistics: Louisiana | Sam Houston State
Ragin' Cajuns Twitter: @ULRaginCajuns | @Cajunbasketball
Opponents Twitter: @BearkatSports

THE COACHES
Louisiana: Bob Marlin (Mississippi State, 1981)
Career Record: 435-242 (22nd season) Record at Louisiana: 87-76 (5th season)

Sam Houston State: Jason Hooten (Tarleton State, 1993)
Career Record: 99-68 (5th season) Record at Sam Houston State: Same

FOR STARTERS
Louisiana head coach Bob Marlin will battle his former team for the first time in his head coaching career on Saturday afternoon when the Ragin' Cajuns travel to Huntsville, Texas, to take on Sam Houston State in the second round of the CIT.

THE LAST TIME OUT
Bryce Washington scored a career-high 25 points and the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns overcame a 13-point first half deficit with a dominating second half to roll by Incarnate Word, 83-68, in the opening round of the CIT on Tuesday at the McDermott Center.

Louisiana trailed 39-34 at the break, but shot 59.3 percent and outscored UIW 49-29 in the second half, leading by as much as 22 points, to advance to the second round of the tournament.

The win was the first postseason win for the Cajuns – aside from the SBC Tournament –since an 87-83 win over Oklahoma in the 1992 NCAA Tournament.

Washington finished with a game-high 25 points on 11-for-14 shooting, while Hayward Register hit four of UL's 10 threes for 12 points and Shawn Long turned in 11 points and nine rebounds. Johnathan Stove just missed reaching double figures with nine points, hitting 5-for-6 from the foul line.

Additionally, UL assisted on 24 of 30 made baskets, led by seven from point guard Jay Wright. Long and Tiremone Williams each added five assists as well, career highs for both players.

UP NEXT
The CollegeInsider.com Tournament is a 32-team tournament that utilizes the old NIT form with out a direct-advance bracket. With a win UL would move on in the CIT, playing in the third round with location, opponent and date all to be determined.

QUICK HITS
• Louisiana's win at Incarnate Word was its first non-conference road win since beating Louisiana Tech, 89-80, on Dec. 4, 2013.

• UL's entry into the CIT is the program's 14th official appearance in postseason since beginning NCAA competition in the 1970-71 season.

• Louisiana had its seven-game win streak snapped in the SBC Tournament quarterfinal against Georgia State. The seven-game streak was the longest by any SBC team this season.

• Shawn Long became the third player in UL history to reach 1,000 rebounds with his 11-rebound performance in the quarterfinal game vs Texas State.

• UL's win over Incarnate Word was the first postseason win for the Cajuns since an 87-83 win over Oklahoma in the first round of the 1992 NCAA Tournament.

#GeauxCajuns

Players Mentioned

Shawn Long

Hayward Register

Johnathan Stove

Bryce Washington

Tiremone Williams

Jay Wright