UL junior guard Kia Wilridge

 

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun women’s basketball team captured the 2015 Women's Basketball Invitational on Sunday, defeating the Siena Saints, 52-50, in the finals at historic Earl K. Long Gym.

Robbie Brown, the lone senior on the UL roster, came up huge in her final game, nailing a clutch three-point shot late in the game, before also coming through with a key steal to help secure the win.

For Louisiana, it's the first postseason tournament championship in the history of the program.

Siena held a slim two-point with 19:05 to go in the first half, but that's the last time the Saints would hold the advantage until late in the game, as the Cajuns led for 17:56 of the initial half.

The Cajuns out-shot the Saints, 46%-42%, while staying even of the boards, with 14 rebounds apiece, while forcing 12 turnovers over the first 20 minutes.

Keke Veal led the way for Louisiana in the first half, with 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Meghan Donohue had 7 points Siena.

The Cajuns extended their lead to a game-high 14 points, 44-30, with 12:15 remaining, before the Saints started the chip away at the UL lead, outscoring Louisiana, 18-3, over the next 10:31, and grabbed the lead for the first time since the first minute of the game when Tehresa Coles converted on two free throws, to take a 48-47 advantage with only 1:44 to go.

Brown began her heroics however, sinking a long three-pointer, to give Louisiana the lead back, 50-48, with 1:16 left, before sealing the win with a key steal with under :05 to go, helping the Cajuns to the heart-pounding win.

Louisiana outshot Siena from the field, 42%-39%, and forced 21 turnovers, while being slightly rebounded, 30-28.

Veal, who was named he tournament MVP, led the way for the Cajuns, scoring 20 points, to go along with 6 rebounds, while Gabby Alexander added 8 points and 3 boards off the bench.

In a losing cause for Siena, Coles and Donohue each had 13 points.

View the game box score.

With the victory, Louisiana ended their 2014-2015 season with a record of 23-12, while Siena finished at 22-13.

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