Postgame radio interview with Quan Jackson and Simeon Carter

Postgame radio interview with Mark Byington

STATESBORO – Georgia Southern held Louisiana to 29 percent shooting in the game and gave up just 15 points in the first 17:47 of the second half as the Eagles downed Louisiana 71-51 in Sun Belt men's basketball action Saturday afternoon in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Eagles of the Game
Isaiah Crawley recorded 13 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocked shots, while Elijah McCadden finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Simeon Carter notched 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. 

Key moments
The Eagles (11-7, 5-2) trailed by six early in the second half but used a monstrous 27-5 run over 10:33 of game time to take control of the contest. Crawley scored six during the stretch, Ike Smith netted five and Calvin Wishart connected on a pair of 3-pointers. Smith's layup with 5:39 to play made the score 59-43, and the margin would grow to 24 on a Jalen Cincore putback with less than a minute to play.

The Eagles committed 10 turnovers and shot 32 percent from the field in the first half but held Louisiana (7-11, 2-5) to 39 percent shooting and only trailed 30-26 at the break. Big man Tirus Smith tallied 12 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots for the Ragin' Cajuns but played just 12 minutes in the contest due to foul trouble, fouling out with 11:13 left in the game.

Key stats
Georgia Southern displayed its depth with six Eagles netting eight points or more. On the flip side, Louisiana dressed just nine players due to injuries. GS made six of its final nine 3-point attempts after making just two in its first 16 shots from distance.

Next up
Georgia Southern makes its swing through Alabama next week as the Eagles travel to Troy Thursday and South Alabama Saturday. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.