The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 86-60 on Sunday afternoon inside the Cajundome. The victory gives the Sun Belt Conference a 10-2 record in the second round of the Sun Belt-MAC Challenge, which concluded with this matchup.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with quick offense on both ends, as the Cajuns took an early 4-1 lead that was quickly erased by a 7-0 for Bowling Green to make it 8-4. After that, the teams traded buckets before a nice assist from Hosana Kitenge to Joe Charles made it 10-8 Bowling Green at the first media timeout.
The back-and-forth nature of this game continued throughout the half, with both offenses executing well. Right before the next media timeout, Kyran Ratliff showed some range as he made his first three-point shot of the season to cut the lead to 20-19.
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Louisiana got a nice lift off the bench from Michael Thomas in the next stretch of play, as he scored a couple of buckets to help give the Cajuns a five-point lead at 29-24. That lead got extended to nine after another quick run from the Cajuns, and it would stay there at the final first half media timeout at 35-26. That lead would grow even larger as Louisiana played very well down the stretch in the first half, bringing a 41-30 lead to the halftime break.
The second half began with defensive intensity on both ends, making it more difficult for the offenses to get going. Eventually the Cajuns did, getting an impressive and-one from Themus Fulks and a triple from Kobe Julien. That made it 51-33 in favor of Louisiana.
The game was physical throughout, and the officials notably let them play more often than calling fouls. This resulted in a clunky stretch of play, with multiple loose balls on the floor ending up with tie ups rather than fouls being called. Regardless, Louisiana was able to maintain their lead throughout the half.
Inside of 10 minutes to play, the Cajuns put together a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 24 points at 64-40. That would be plenty, as they fended off any comeback efforts in the final eight minutes. A Kitenge and-one basket with 3:57 left made it 78-51 and put the cap on an impressive performance. They would hold on to win 86-60.
BIG NUMBER: 7
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Today, the big number is more of a little number. Louisiana only turned it over seven times, controlling the ball and efficiently working on offense. They handled the Bowling Green defense effectively throughout the contest.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Hosana Kitenge
Kitenge was a force on Sunday, securing a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also added three assists in a complete performance.
UP NEXT: Louisiana will head back on the road, as they face Old Dominion on Thursday, February 15th back in Sun Belt play at 6:00 PM.
Newlab New Orleans is deepening its energy-tech ambitions with a new partnership alongside JERA, Japan’s largest power generator, to accelerate next-generation carbon capture solutions for heavy industries across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, The Center Square writes.
The collaboration brings JERA Ventures into Newlab’s public-private innovation hub, where startups gain access to lab space and high-end machinery to commercialize technologies aimed at cutting emissions and improving industrial efficiency.
The move builds momentum as Newlab prepares to open its fifth global hub next fall at the former Naval Support Activity site, adding New Orleans to a network that includes Riyadh and Detroit. JERA’s footprint in Louisiana is already growing—from a joint venture on CF Industries’ planned $4 billion low-carbon ammonia plant to investments in solar generation and Haynesville shale assets—positioning the company as a significant player in the state’s clean-energy transition.
Federal immigration authorities are keeping a tight lid on key details as “Catahoula Crunch” closes its first week in southeast Louisiana, Verite writes.
The operation—one of Department of Homeland Security’s largest recent urban crackdowns—began with raids at home-improvement stores and aims for 5,000 arrests, according to plans previously reviewed by the Associated Press. While DHS publicly highlighted arrests of immigrants with violent criminal records, AP data shows fewer than one-third of the 38 detainees in the first two days had prior convictions.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups report widespread fear in Hispanic communities, with residents avoiding hospitals, schools, workplaces and even grocery stores amid sightings of federal agents.
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Business impacts are already visible: restaurants and Hispanic-serving corridors like Broad Street appear unusually quiet, with staff shortages forcing menu cuts and temporary closures. School absenteeism has doubled in Jefferson Parish, and protests have spread across New Orleans and surrounding suburbs as local leaders demand transparency around federal tactics.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana State Police is opening its doors throughout December, hosting open house events aimed at giving potential applicants a closer look at what it takes to become a state trooper.
Troop leaders said the goal is to recruit men and women who are prepared for the demands of the job and committed to serving their communities.
Troop A Public Information Officer Shelby Mayfield said the open houses are designed to make the application process more accessible.
“One of the reasons we generated these open houses was to allow our applicants to come in and get a look inside the troop, meet some state troopers from across the troop area, and ask whatever questions they may have to the recruiters who are present,” Mayfield said.
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Along with information sessions, Mayfield said the events help future applicants better understand the daily responsibilities of law enforcement and the mindset troopers are expected to bring to the job.
“We want to make sure that that trooper knows how important officer safety is,” he said. “But more importantly, we want to make sure they go out there with a pure heart.”
The Louisiana State Police Training Academy is known for its rigorous curriculum that prepares cadets for real-world situations. From crash investigations to communication skills, instructors focus on developing well-rounded troopers who can serve safely and effectively.
Mayfield said applicants must be ready for a variety of interactions, not just emergencies.
“Not everything is going to be a high-intensity, rapidly evolving situation,” he said. “You need to be able to deal with the public to accomplish your job, and that’s why we preach not just getting the job done, but being able to relate to the public so you can meet their needs.”
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The application deadline for Cadet Class 109 is Jan. 6, 2026. Mayfield encourages anyone who feels called to the profession to take the next step.
“If this is something you genuinely have in your heart to do, reach out to somebody when it’s convenient for you,” he said. “Even if you miss a deadline, never give up because it’s never too late.”
Open house events will continue throughout the month at troop locations across Louisiana. More information on Cadet Class 109 and the application process is available on the Louisiana State Police website.
