Louisiana-Lafayette’s David Dees hit a free throw with six seconds left, then Denver rushed up the court but could not control the ball as the clock expired, handing the Ragin’ Cajuns a 66-64 Sun Belt Conference win on Thursday in Lafayette, La.
The game was tied at 64 after Dees hit two free throws with 50 seconds on the clock. Denver (1-14, 0-5 Sun Belt) was moving up the floor for a possible go-ahead basket when Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense made its biggest stop of the night.
DU’s Alex Cox dribbled near the top of the key when he got caught in a trap. Cox tried to bounce a pass past Elijah Millsap, but Millsap got his hands on the ball and ran back, drawing a foul as he tried to slam home the turnover.
Millsap missed the first free throw but made the second, which gave Louisiana-Lafayette (3-12, 1-4) a 65-64 edge with 28 seconds remaining in the game. Denver’s attempt at a go-ahead 3-pointer by Antonio Porch was off the mark and Cox traveled, giving the ball back to the Cajuns.
Dees then hit a free throw to seal the win and snap Louisiana-Lafayette’s seven-game losing streak. The Pioneers’ losing streak extends to 11 games.
Dees had a game-high 26 points, while Ross Mouton scored 22 to lead Louisiana-Lafayette. The Pioneers were led by Cox, who scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers. DeShawn Walker was 4-of-9 from 3-point range and scored 16 points.
Women
Chelsey Warburton had two 3-pointers and an assist in a 13-4 run to start the second half, propelling Weber State to a 78-66 victory over Northern Colorado in Ogden, Utah.
It was the Big Sky Conference opener for the Bears (3-10, 0-1), who got 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Whitley Cox. Janie Rayback had 17 points and Warburton 15 to lead the Wildcats (6-8, 1-0).
WESTERN STATE 58, METRO STATE 57
at Gunnison: Taryn Brennan sank a free throw with 3.5 seconds remaining to give Western State (5-7, 3-1 RMAC) an upset victory over visiting Metro State (8-3, 3-2 RMAC) at Paul Wright Gym.
Metro’s Ashley Mickens tied the game at 57 with 31 seconds left, but she was unable to convert a three-point play after missing the free-throw.
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 60, ADAMS STATE 48
at Alamosa: Adams State shot 36 percent in the first half to fall behind 31-19 at the half and the Lopers (10-2, 5-0 RMAC) held on for the road victory.
Laurel Mortensen led the Grizzlies (3-10, 1-4) with 17 points.
