Ragin' Cajuns Stun Warriors, 61-59

The Rainbow Warriors led for much of the game, but could never quite pull away. They would pay for that dearly in the second half when Louisiana scored 11 straight points to pull away for good.

Louisiana missed its first 11 shots from the floor and shot just 26 percent in the first half. Still UH led by just two points, 24-22, at the break. UH held a seven-point lead with eight minutes remaining, but that's when UL made its move, going on an 11-0 run to take a 53-49 lead.

Hawai`i would later tie it, 56-56, with 1:33 remaining in regulation on a Riley Luettgerodt free throw. Millsap would then give Louisiana a one-point lead, 57-56, at the charity stripe.

With 21 seconds left on the clock,Randell Daigle drained both freebies to give Louisiana a 59-56 edge.

Louisiana shot 31 percent from the field, going 5-of-15 from beyond the three-point arc. Hawai`I shot 38.2 percent, while shooting a dismal 13.3 percent from three-point range.

Randell Daigle led the Ragin Cajuns with 13 points, while La'Ryan Gary added 10 points, including the game-winning free throws with five seconds remaining. Louisiana won despite top scorer Elijah Milsap missing all 11 shots from the field.

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will return to the hardwood Friday when they face the Ohio Bobcats in championship play at the Stan Sheriff Center. Tip-off is set for 11:30 p.m. (CT).

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 61 Daigle, Randell 4-12 2-2 13; Gary, La'Ryan 2-6 6-9 10; Gradnigo, Chris 4-10 0-0 9; Dees, David 2-6 2-5 6; Wallace, Courtney 2-3 1-3 5; Millsap, Elijah 0-11 5-10 5; Bloom, Corey 1-1 2-2 4; Bureau, Travis 1-3 0-0 3; Johnson, Tyren 1-3 0-0 2; Barksdale, Maurice 0-0 2-2 2; Dison, Brandon 1-1 0-0 2; Lago, Willie 0-1 0-0 0; Milson, Abray 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-59 20-33 61.

HAWAII 61 Gibson, Matt 5-11 4-5 15; Luettgerodt, Riley 5-11 4-5 15; Nash, Bobby 3-13 4-4 10; Amis, Bill 3-6 0-1 6; Verwers, Stephen 2-4 2-3 6; Owsley, P.J. 2-4 0-0 4; Dillinger, Jared 1-5 1-1 3; Nitoto, Kareem 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-55 15-19 59. Halftime: Hawai`i 24, UL 22. 3-point goals: UL 5-15 (Daigle, Randell 3-10; Gradnigo, Chris 1-2; Bureau, Travis 1-2; Millsap, Elijah 0-1), Hawai'i 2-15 (Gibson, Matt 1-6; Luettgerodt, Riley 1-4; Dillinger, Jared 0-2; Nash, Bobby 0-3). A-6099.