Louisiana-Lafayette beats East Tennessee St. for third place in Rainbow Classic

Saturday 12/22/2007 5:00 PM
TEAM STAT LEADERS
Louisiana East Tennessee State
Points C. Gradnigo  21 K. Tiggs  27
Rebounds C. Gradnigo  6 K. Tiggs  10
Assists R. Daigle  10 J. Davis  7
Team Stats: Louisiana |  East Tennessee State

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.