J.J. Thomas scored 20 points and Louisiana-Lafayette turned back a furious Arkansas State rally for a 64-61 victory, its eighth straight, Thursday night.
The Ragin' Cajuns (11-14, 8-5 Sun Belt Conference) built an 11-point halftime lead and increased it to 14 points before the Red Wolves (14-14, 8-5) came back.
Arkansas State led by one point twice in the 10th minute of the second and the score was tied twice thereafter, at 44 and 58, before Raymone Andrews put Louisiana-Lafayette ahead for good on two free throws with 45 seconds left.
Donald Boone missed two 3-pointers in the final 25 seconds for the Red Wolves. Thomas made two free throws with 6 seconds left as the Ragin' Cajuns avenged a 74-65 loss in Jonesboro, Ark., on Jan. 13.
La'Ryan Gary had 14 points for the Ragin' Cajuns while Travis Bureau had 12 rebounds. Rashad Allison led Arkansas State with 26 points.
