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Louisiana Rallies Late to Defeat Central Michigan, 85-80
Ragin' Cajuns use 13-1 run in final minutes to secure victory in MAC-SBC Challenge contest
Feb. 7, 2026 at 7:15pm
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In a close matchup between the two conferences, Louisiana used a late 13-1 run to overcome a second-half deficit and defeat Central Michigan 85-80 in the MAC-SBC Challenge. The Ragin' Cajuns had six players score in double figures, led by 19 points from De'Vion Lavergne, while Central Michigan was paced by a game-high 21 points from Tamario Adley.
Why it matters
The MAC-SBC Challenge is an annual event that pits teams from the Mid-American Conference against those from the Sun Belt Conference, providing an opportunity for interconference competition. This game was a close battle that came down to the final minutes, highlighting the competitiveness between the two leagues.
The details
Louisiana outrebounded Central Michigan 29-21, including 13 offensive rebounds, which proved to be a key factor in the game. The Chippewas led by as many as eight points in the second half, but the Ragin' Cajuns chipped away at the deficit and took the lead for good with a 13-1 run over a four-minute stretch late in the game. Louisiana's balanced scoring attack, with six players in double figures, helped them secure the victory.
- The game was played on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
- Louisiana used a 13-1 run over a four-minute stretch late in the second half to take control of the game.
The players
De'Vion Lavergne
A Louisiana player who scored a team-high 19 points in the game.
Tamario Adley
A Central Michigan player who scored a game-high 21 points.
Andy Bronkema
The head coach of the Central Michigan Chippewas.
What they’re saying
“We need to make the plays when there are game-winning plays.”
— Andy Bronkema, Central Michigan head coach
“Tonight, it was the rebounding. They had 13 offensive rebounds and we had five. Rebounding, some of it is grit and awareness, there is a lot of want-to and heart. You flip that around and we win the game.”
— Andy Bronkema, Central Michigan head coach
What’s next
Central Michigan will look to bounce back when they host Northern Illinois on Saturday, February 14th.
The takeaway
This game showcased the competitiveness between the MAC and SBC conferences, with Louisiana rallying late to secure the victory over a tough Central Michigan squad. The Ragin' Cajuns' ability to dominate the glass proved to be a key factor in the outcome.
