LAFAYETTE, La. – Elfrid Payton scored 23 points, hitting 9 of 9 free throws, as Louisiana-Lafayette held off Troy 76-66 Thursday night.
The Ragin' Cajuns split the season series, denying Trojans coach Don Maestri his 500th career win for the second straight game. Troy won 71-52 on Feb. 2.
Alan-Michael Thompson added 20 points and Shawn Long had 18 points and five blocks for Louisiana-Lafayette (11-17, 7-10 Sun Belt Conference), which has won three of its last four games.
The Ragin' Cajuns led 18-5 en route to a 34-26 halftime advantage. The Trojans tied it at 59 on Deonata Jethroe's layup with 5:03 left, but Thompson hit back-to-back 3-pointers, then Louisiana-Lafayette made 11 of 12 free throws to seal it.
The Ragin' Cajuns made 23 of 28 foul shots compared to Troy's 11 of 18.
Jethroe scored 20 points to lead the Trojans (11-17, 6-11) who have lost four of their last five.
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