LAFAYETTE, La.—Freshman Chris Gradnigo’s game-high 24 points led Louisiana-Lafayette to a 58-51 victory Saturday over Denver.
Gradnigo hit 9-of-13 shots and was 4-for-6 from 3-point range for the Ragin’ Cajuns (15-14, 11-7 Sun Belt).
A 12-6 run at the end of the first half gave Denver (11-18, 7-11) a 28-27 edge at halftime.
Rob Lewis, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers, made two jumpers to make it 32-27, but an 11-2 run put the Cajuns ahead 38-32 with 14:41 left.
Denver and Louisiana exchanged baskets for the next nine minutes, but a jump shot by Nate Rohnert at 2:25 was the Pioneers’ last basket.
Joe Jackson added 10 points to Lewis’ 16.
Randell Daigle had 11 points for ULL. Gradnigo and Tyren Johnson had six rebounds each.
