South Alabama 66, Louisiana-Lafayette 60

1/24/2008 9:58 PM

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -Daon Merritt and Demetric Bennett had 16 points apiece to lead South Alabama to a 66-60 win over Louisiana-Lafayette Thursday night.

The Ragin' Cajuns (8-11, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference) lost a double-digit first-half lead as the Jaguars (16-3, 8-0 SBC) erased a 13-point deficit for the win.

Louisiana went into the intermission leading 34-27 and scored the first points of the second half, to bring the score to 36-27. Then the Jaguars cut their lead to five points, 38-33, with 17:27 remaining in regulation.

South Alabama later went on an 11-3 run to tie the game at 44 with 11:37 remaining. The Jaguars took the lead, 50-48, with 8:18 to go. the Cajuns regained a one-point lead, but then the Jaguars pulled ahead on eight straight points and didn't give up the lead again.

DeAndre Coleman had a double-double for the Jaguars, with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Chris Gradnigo was the only double figure scorer for Louisiana with 19 points.