Gradnigo scores 18 and Louisiana-Lafayette holds off cold-shooting Denver 55-49
By APFriday, January 15, 2010
Louisiana-Lafayette holds off Denver 55-49
LAFAYETTE, La. — Chris Gradnigo scored 18 points and Louisiana-Lafayette held Denver, the nation’s second-ranked shooting squad, to a season-low 34.7 percent in a 55-49 win Thursday night.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (6-10, 3-2 Sun Belt Conference) jumped out to a 30-10 lead and led 30-17 at halftime. The Pioneers, who came into the game shooting 53 percent, shot 36.4 percent from the field (8-for-22) in the first half and were 17-for-49 for the game.
Louisiana-Lafayette opened the second half with an 11-3 run to lead 41-20 with 14:01 left, but Denver whittled the lead to 47-43 with 2:22 left. The Ragin’ Cajuns hit 8 of 10 free throws to seal the win.
Denver (12-6, 5-2), which snapped a two-game winning streak, was held below 40 percent for the second time this season.
Randell Daigle added 14 points for Louisiana-Lafayette.
Brian Stafford had 16 points to lead Denver.
