- Mostapha El Moutaouakkil scores career-high 28 points with 7 in OT
- 14th-seeded Warhawks nearly upset Ragin' Cajuns in defensive showdown
- Teams combine for 22 three-point attempts in backcourt battle
In a heart-stopping Sun Belt Conference Tournament opener, Louisiana's basketball team survived a fierce challenge from in-state rivals UL Monroe through overtime grit. The Ragin' Cajuns' victory marks their third consecutive tournament win against the Warhawks, continuing a rivalry that's produced six overtime games since 2018.
El Moutaouakkil's heroics came when Louisiana needed them most, with the sophomore guard converting 83% of his free throws in clutch moments. His overtime performance showcased why Sun Belt coaches voted him to the All-Conference Defensive Team, recording two critical steals while playing all 45 minutes.
Michael Thomas' sharpshooting kept Louisiana alive during regulation, sinking 5/9 three-point attempts. This aligns with a growing Sun Belt trend - teams shooting 35%+ from beyond the arc have won 68% of tournament games since 2020. UL Monroe's Jalen Bolden countered with 21 points, demonstrating why the junior forward ranks top-10 in conference rebounding.
The overtime thriller underscores Louisiana's improved late-game execution under first-year coach Bob Marlin. After losing four games by 3 points or fewer during the regular season, the Cajuns have now won three consecutive OT contests - a testament to revamped conditioning programs implemented in February.
Regional basketball analysts note this upset follows a Gulf Coast pattern where lower-seeded teams outperform expectations. Five of the last seven Sun Belt Tournaments hosted in Pensacola have seen at least one double-digit seed reach the semifinals, attributed to Florida's neutral-court dynamics balancing home-court advantages.
With the victory, Louisiana advances to face Old Dominion in a Wednesday matchup featuring two of the conference's top defensive units. The Monarchs allow just 68.3 PPG, setting up a contrasting battle against Louisiana's resurgent offense that's averaged 79 points over its last five outings.