LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) -- James Gallman scored 14 points and Marcos
Knight added 12 as Middle Tennessee defeated Louisiana-Lafayette
72-58 Thursday night in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both
teams.



The Blue Raiders (5-1) led by as many as 11 points, 36-25, with
2:52 left in the first half, but the Ragin' Cajuns (2-5) cut
their deficit to 38-32 at halftime.



A jumper by Shawn Long, who finished with 17 points and 13
rebounds, gave Louisiana-Lafayette a 48-47 lead with 11:20
remaining in the game, but Middle Tennessee then used a 14-1 run
to seize control.



Bruce Massey's only basket of the game started the run, which
included five points by Gallman and three turnovers by the
Ragin' Cajuns.



Jason Jones scored 11 points and Tweety Knight 10 for Middle
Tennessee.



Steven Wronkoski had 13 points for Louisiana-Lafayette, and
Bryant Mbamalu and Elfrid Payton scored 11 each.