Troy's impressive performance on the road at the Cajundome left no doubt about their superiority, as they handed Louisiana a 90-70 defeat. The Trojans' balanced attack, led by Thomas Dowd's 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, proved too much for the Ragin' Cajuns to handle. Dowd's all-around effort set the tone for Troy, who built a commanding 53-35 lead by halftime.
Dorian Finister was the lone bright spot for Louisiana, scoring 25 points in a valiant effort to keep his team afloat. However, the Ragin' Cajuns' struggles on defense allowed Troy to dictate the pace and control the tempo throughout the game. The Trojans' 53-point first half was a clear indication of their dominance, as they shot efficiently and moved the ball effectively to find open scoring opportunities.
Troy's supporting cast played a significant role in the win, with Cooper Campbell and Victor Valdes contributing 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, and 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, respectively. The Trojans' ability to share the ball and create scoring chances for each other was a key factor in their success, as they consistently found ways to exploit Louisiana's defense.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that Louisiana was struggling to keep up with Troy's pace. Despite Finister's best efforts, the Ragin' Cajuns were unable to mount a significant comeback, and the Trojans' lead only grew as the second half progressed. The final score of 90-70 reflected Troy's dominance, as they outscored Louisiana 37-35 in the second half to seal the win.
This result will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Louisiana, the loss drops them to 5-16 on the season and deals a blow to their already slim postseason hopes. The game was classified as a Quadrant 3 loss for the Ragin' Cajuns, which will not help their resume. On the other hand, Troy's win improves their record to 15-6 and adds a Quadrant 4 victory to their resume. While the win may not be a significant boost to their tournament chances, it does help to solidify their position and provides a confidence boost as they move forward.
The Trojans' ability to take care of business on the road against a lesser opponent is a positive sign, and their balanced attack will make them a formidable opponent in their upcoming games. As for Louisiana, they must regroup and refocus if they hope to turn their season around and make a push for the postseason. For now, however, Troy's dominant performance will be the talking point, and the Trojans want to build on this momentum as they continue their season.