Marquetti's career night helps Louisiana beat McNeese 89-78

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Malik Marquetti scored a career-high 17 points with five 3-pointers, JaKeenan Gant added 16 points, and Louisiana made 11 3-pointers in defeating McNeese State 89-78 on Tuesday night.

Frank Bartley IV and Jonathan Stove scored 11 points apiece, Bryce Washington grabbed 11 rebounds, and Louisiana (5-2) scored 28 points off 16 Cowboys' turnovers.

Marcus Stroman's 3-pointer put Louisiana up for good, 7-6, and sparked a 16-0 run. The Cowboys closed on a 10-2 run in which Stephen Ugochukwu scored four, but Louisiana led 36-28 at halftime behind Gant's eight points after holding the Cowboys to 32 percent shooting from the floor.

Marquetti hit three straight 3s to open the second half and the Ragin' Cajuns led by 20 on Cedric Russell's 3 at the midway mark. The Cowboys closed to 87-78 on a 19-6 run capped by Kalob Ledoux's layup, but got no closer.

Ugochukwu scored 20 and grabbed 12 rebounds, Kalob Ledoux added 18 points, Jarren Greenwood 15, and Jacob Ledoux 14 for the Cowboys (3-4).