Now, THAT'S the way to start a season.

Jaylyn Gordon tied a career high with 29 points and freshman Jordan Alexander hit a pair of free throws with :02.9 remaining as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns women's basketball team opened year four of the Garry Brodhead era with an 82-78 win over Ole Miss at Tad Smith Coliseum Sunday night.

Gordon made 7-17 field goal attempts, including 4-9 from three point range and nailed 11-15 free throws in the win.  Gordon scored 25 of her points in the first two and a half quarters as Louisiana (1-0) built a lead of 21 points, then withstood a furious rally from the Rebels in the fourth period.  Keke Veal joined Gordon in double figures with 18 points while Kia Wilridge chipped in twelve.

It was the Cajuns' first win ever over Ole Miss (1-1) and the first win over a team from the Southeastern Conference since 2006 when the Cajuns defeated South Carolina.

The Cajuns jumped out to a 46-26 halftime lead, shooting 45 percent from the field including 6-10 from beyond the arc and forcing 11 Ole Miss turnovers.  The lead was still 17 points, 66-49 entering the fourth quarter before the Rebels, led by Freshman Torri Lewis, led a furious comeback to get within two points, 80-78 before Alexander nailed both free throws on her first career attempts to seal the victory.

The Cajuns wound up shooting 40% for the game (24-60) and hit free throws in the contest.  Ole Miss, meanwhile, shot 40.6% from the field and nailed 11-20 from beyond the arc.  But the Cajuns outscored the Rebels 28-11 at the free throw line.

Lewis led Ole Miss with 20 points, while Madinah Muhammad scored 14 and Shandricka Sessom added 12.

Louisiana opens the home portion of their schedule Thursday night when they host Southern-New Orleans at 7:00pm at Earl K. Long Gym.

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