LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) – Mylik Wilson scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead five Louisiana-Lafayette players in double figures and the Ragin’ Cajuns topped Arkansas State 73-66 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament’s first round on Saturday.
Wilson’s double-double was the freshman’s second. Jalen Johnson added 16 points for the eighth-seeded Ragin’ Cajuns (14-18). Cedric Russell chipped in 12, Trajan Wesley scored 11, and Dou Gueye had 10. Johnson also had 10 rebounds.
Arkansas State came as close as 67-66 when Marquis Eaton scored with less than a minute to go, but Russell answered with a jumper in the paint for the Ragin’ Cajuns, then made a free throw and – after a technical foul was called on the Arkansas State bench – made three more FTs, pushing the lead to seven.
Canberk Kus had 15 points and seven rebounds for the ninth-seeded Red Wolves (16-16). J.J. Matthews added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jerry Johnson had 12 points.
Louisiana faces No. 5 seed Georgia Southern Monday in a second-round game.
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