Louisiana-Lafayette trips UALR 83-79 in OT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Junior Shawn Long had 23 points and 12 rebounds for his 40th career double-double, Kasey Shepherd added 20 points and Louisiana-Lafayette pulled out an 83-79 win over Arkansas-Little Rock in the Sun Belt opener for both teams on Tuesday night.

The Ragin' Cajuns (7-5) never trailed in overtime as UALR missed five shots and three free throws.

James White had 19 points and Josh Hagins 17 for the Trojans (5-6).

When Brian Williams made a pair of free throws midway through the second half Louisiana led 68-54. But Hagins made a pair of 3-pointers to bookend an 11-0 run for the Trojans.

Johnathan Stove ended the Cajuns' near 6-mintue drought but UALR reeled off the next seven points to lead 72-70 with 1:35 to go.

With the Trojans up 74-72, Jay Wright made the first of two free throws but Bryce Washington rebounded the miss and was fouled with 29 seconds left. He made the second free throw to force overtime.