Preview: Women’s basketball plays second MAC-Sun Belt challenge against Louisiana

The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team (13-8) takes a break from Mid-American Conference (MAC) play with a matchup against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (10-11) of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) on Feb. 8.

The RedHawks engage in their second MAC-SBC challenge of this season, and the matchup starts a three-game streak on the road. Miami won’t play at Millett Hall again until Feb. 22.

Miami opened the 2024-25 season with a victory over the SBC’s Appalachian State University Mountaineers. From there, the RedHawks finished their non-conference slate 7-3. With their recent victory over the Eastern Michigan University Eagles, the RedHawks jumped to 6-5 in MAC play, putting them over .500 for the first time since Jan. 22.

In her first year with the Red and White, sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez has proven to be a productive member of the team with 364 points. The Mercer University transfer averages 17.3 points a game, ranking her No. 75 in women’s college basketball.

Sophomore forward Amber Tretter and graduate student guard Maya Chandler have contributed 228 and 208 points respectively. Tretter averages 7.8 rebounds a game, good for 123rd in the nation.

Beyond an effective offense, the RedHawks boast a defense that holds opponents to 55.8 points per game, the lowest in the MAC and the 24th lowest in the NCAA.

On the other side of the court, graduate student guard Erica Lafayette leads the Ragin’ Cajuns with 317 points, including 42 3-pointers on 97 attempts (.433). Graduate student guard Tamiah Robinson trails with 192 points and averages 9.8 points per game.

Louisiana boasts the Sun Belt’s best defense, holding opponents to 1,325 points this season. Graduate student guard Tamiah Robinson leads the team with 80 defensive rebounds, 31 steals and six blocks.

The Ragin’ Cajuns embarked on their 2024-25 campaign with a loss to another MAC school, the Northern Illinois University Huskies. Louisiana finished its non-conference slate with a 4-5 record before embracing the Sun Belt.

Their 92-88 overtime victory on Feb. 5 against the Marshall University Thundering Herd brought the Ragin’ Cajuns to 6-6 and broke their two-game losing streak.

When the MAC-SBC challenge was introduced last season, Miami went 1-1 with a loss to the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks and a victory over the Georgia State University Panthers.

The weekend matchup marks the first meeting between the RedHawks and the Ragin’ Cajuns. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST, and the game will be televised on ESPN+.