LAFAYETTE, La. — Elfrid Payton scored 20 points, including the last three of the game, as Louisiana-Lafayette rallied for a 72-71 overtime victory over the University of Denver on Thursday night.
Trailing 71-69, Payton made a layup with 16 seconds to go but missed the ensuing free throw. After Raymone Andrew got a steal for the Ragin’ Cajuns (13-11, 7-3 Sun Belt Conference) with four seconds left, Payton went to the free-throw line, where he made the first of two foul shots with 0.4 seconds remaining.
“I thought it was a really good college basketball game, but unfortunately for us, we came out on the losing end of it at the buzzer,” Pioneers coach Joe Scott said. “We have to learn from it and move on, because there’s a lot of basketball to be played in February and March.”
The Pioneers (16-7, 6-4) led by seven in the first half and 33-30 at the break.
The game was tied eight times in the second half, with Andrews making two foul shots but missing a third attempt with 1:32 to go in regulation to knot it at 67.
Royce O’Neale led Denver with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
