Ragin’ Cajun Women Survive McNeese State To Advance In WBI

McNeese State tried to steal the win from Ragin' Cajun Women's Basketball, but UL dug deep to survive and advance in the WBI tournament.

After trailing for the entire game, the Cowgirls took the 56-55 lead with only 1:24 left to play. A pesky club was allowed to hang around, and the Cajuns almost paid for it. Luckily for Head Coach Garry Brodhead, his unit dug deep and found a way to continue playing in postseason action, collecting the 63-58 victory.

"Our kids deserve it," Brodhead said after the victory. "I'm glad they still have the opportunity to play."

Jaylyn Gordon nailed a huge three-pointer down the stretch to go along with some clutch shooting from the free throw line by Simone Fields and others. When it comes to the star of the night, there is no debating this: Keke Veal stole the show.

With the team squarely on her back, Veal registered 29 points (12-21 FG, 1-3 3pt, 4-8 FT), slashing and gashing the Cowgirl defense all throughout the game. Kia Wilridge put in 13 points (6-11 FG, 1-2 FT) before fouling out, and Jaylyn Gordon (5-9 FG, 1-3 3pt, 1-1 FT) helped out with 12, but it was all about the junior guard out of Opelousas who kept finding the bottom of the bucket.

"She's a scoring machine," Brodhead said about Veal. "She came up big for us."

Veal's monster performance counteracted a solid game by McNeese State's Jaylyn Johnson, who put in 20 points and hassled the Cajuns stingy defense. Speaking of the stingy defense, the Cajuns forced 16 turnovers and held the Cowgirls from 1-8 behind the three-point line.

With the win, Ragin' Cajun Women's Basketball continues their road in postseason play. They will learn who their opponent is shortly, and whoever it is better prepare for a team that battles through every second on the floor.