1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|
UL | 39 | 42 | 81 |
TROY | 34 | 42 | 76 |
Bartley helps Louisiana claim Sun Belt title 81-76 at Troy
TROY, Ala. -- Frank Bartley scored 22 points, Marcus Stroman made four free throws in the last 28 seconds and Louisiana held off Troy 81-76 Thursday night to claim its first Sun Belt Conference championship in 18 years.
The Ragin Cajuns (24-4, 14-1) pulled down 46 rebounds, including 35 off the defensive glass, while Troy grabbed 30 rebounds all told and the disparity helped Louisiana survive Troy's 53-percent shooting from long range. The Trojans made 13 of 28 from distance but were outscored 40-20 in the paint, 17-6 on second-chance points and 11-6 on the fast break.
The Trojans (13-15, 7-8) came within two points three times in the last 95 seconds. Jordan Varnado scored on a drive to pull Troy as close as 72-70 with 1:35 remaining, but he missed a free throw that would have turned the bucket into a three-point play. Wesley Person scored two from the line to pull Troy to 74-72 but Bryce Washington answered with a drive and, after another Varnado bucket made it 76-74 with 36 seconds left, Strohman closed things out from the foul line.
Louisiana last won the Sun Belt in the 1999-00 season. The victory was also coach Bob Marlin's 500th.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Anthony Jordan
- Tim Fitzgerald
- Coy Gammon
2023-24 Sun Belt Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
App State | 16-2 | - | 27-7 |
James Madison | 15-3 | 1 | 32-4 |
Troy | 13-5 | 3 | 20-12 |
Arkansas State | 11-7 | 5 | 20-17 |
Louisiana | 10-8 | 6 | 19-14 |
Southern Miss | 9-9 | 7 | 16-16 |
South Alabama | 8-10 | 8 | 16-16 |
Georgia State | 8-10 | 8 | 14-17 |
Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 8 | 9-24 |
Texas State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-18 |
Marshall | 7-11 | 9 | 13-20 |
UL Monroe | 6-12 | 10 | 11-19 |
Coastal Carolina | 5-13 | 11 | 9-22 |
Old Dominion | 3-15 | 13 | 7-25 |