The UL men's basketball team takes on Florida International Universityat 6 p.m. Thursday, hoping to extend a five-game winning streak - the longest string of Ws for the Ragin' Cajuns since the 2005-06 season. UL (8-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) leads the all-time series with FIU (9-14, 4-7 SB), 14-5, after claiming an 83-63 win last season at the Cajundome. The Cajuns have won the last three regular season meetings. Thursday's game marks the first time UL will play at FIU since 2007-08. The last time the Cajuns played at U.S. Century Bank Arena, they won 72-62.
The Cajuns will remain in the Sunshine State to face Florida Atlantic University Saturday.
After losing 15 straight games on the road, the Cajuns broke the road-game curse Jan. 30 when they defeated South Alabama. And on Saturday, they gave Cajun fans one of the biggest nail-biting games of the season, defeating Arkansas-Little Rock 67-66 in the final seconds at the Cajundome.
The streak has put the Cajuns back in contention for the Sun Belt West Division title, trailing Denver and Arkansas State. Other streak stats:
UL is averaging 82.8 ppg while holding opponents to 72.2 ppg - a +10.6 scoring margin.
The Cajuns are shooting .483 from the floor (143-296) in the last five games and limiting the opposition to .410 (125-305).
From the charity stripe, UL is knocking down .706 of its attempts (101-143).
On the glass, the Cajuns are out-rebounding teams 40.2 to 34.8 (+5.4 margin).
Three players are averaging double-figure points, two of which are averaging a double-double over the streak. J.J. Thomas leads with 17.8 ppg and 10.0 rpg, La'Ryan Gary is averaging 13.8 ppg and Travis Bureau is chipping in 12.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg.
Catch tonight's game on KPEL 1420 AM/ KHXT 107.9 FM. View live stats/video at www.ragincajuns.com.