Louisiana-Lafayette beats East Tennessee St. for third place in Rainbow Classic
HONOLULU(AP) Chris Gradnigo scored 21 points to lead Louisiana-Lafayette to an 82-80 overtime win over East Tennessee St. for third place in the Rainbow Classic on Saturday.
La'Ryan Gary added 16 points for the Ragin' Cajuns (4-7), Travis Bureau had 15 points and Randell Daigle 14 points and 10 assists.
Kevin Tiggs led East Tennessee St. (5-7) with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Courtney Pigram added 17 points and Andrew Reed 14 for the Buccaneers.
Gary made two free throws with 1:04 remaining in overtime to put Louisiana-Lafayette ahead for good, 78-76, and Daigle nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to ice the game with 14 seconds to go.
After trailing by as much as 9 midway through the second half, Louisiana-Lafayette tied the game at 68 with 2:45 remaining in regulation on Daigle's jumper with the shot clock winding down.
The Ragin' Cajuns had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but Daigle's wild 3-point attempt ricocheted off the rim with 0.9 seconds remaining.