Lafayette, LA (Sports Network) - Elfrid Payton scored 23 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns bested the Troy Trojans, 76-66, in a Sun Belt Conference clash at the Cajundome.

Alan-Michael Thompson scored 20 points and Shawn Long had 18 points and nine rebounds for Louisiana (11-17, 7-10 Sun Belt) which has won three of its last four games.

Deonata Jethroe put in 20 points, Ray Chambers had 15 off the bench and Hunter Williams registered 14 for Troy (11-17, 6-11) which has fallen in five of its last six outings.

Louisiana got out to a 34-26 lead at the break by shooting 54.5 percent from the field while holding Troy to just 37 percent.

In the second half the Ragin' Cajuns cooled to 44 percent shooting but by hitting 16-of-21 attempts from the free-throw line they were able to hold off the Trojans.

Points from the free-throw line were crucial as Louisiana had a 23-11 edge from the charity stripe.

GAME NOTES:

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