It didn’t take long for the Sun Belt Conference to respond to what happened in UL’s 92-82 win over South Alabama on Thursday night at the Cajundome.

After the win, which according to scoring officials included nine technical fouls, Ragin’ Cajuns coach Bob Marlin essentially suggested that referees had lost control of the game.

He also blamed the Jaguars for starting things.

“They started talking a little bit,” Marlin said, “and our guys didn’t like that, the officials let it get to a point where it became a problem.”

Marlin even seemed to suggest things perhaps could carry over when the two teams meet again Feb. 27 in Mobile.

“They just started talking, and it got out of hand,” he said Thursday night. “So it was disappointing. It takes away from what we’re trying to do.

“It continued all the way through to after the game,” Marlin added, “so I’m sure it will continue in the future.”

Fifty-four total fouls were called, and there were 69 free throws taken. The two teams had to be separated going to their locker rooms at halftime, and yapping continued in the postgame handshake line.

On Friday afternoon, Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson issued a statement.

No suspensions or penalties were levied, however.

“The Sun Belt Conference and its member universities have a high standard for conduct,” Benson said. “We cannot and will not ignore when these standards are not met.

“I thank (UL athletic director) Scott Farmer and (South Alabama athletic director) Joel Erdmann for recognizing the type of behavior that is expected and that this behavior was not suitable for their universities.”

The Sun Belt also released statements it attributed to Marlin and South Al coach Matthew Graves.

Marlin: “The technical fouls and resulting behavior that occurred … took away from what was a competitive game between our two institutions.

“The lack of sportsmanship that was displayed is not conducive to our sport, and was not a good representation of our athletic program and our university.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Graves and his staff, and we will both work together to prevent this from occurring again in the future.”

Graves: “(It) was a highly emotional game for both teams and we are certainly disappointed with the actions of everyone involved.

“We have addressed the issues within our team and will continue to be diligent on educating our student-athletes on how to appropriately conduct themselves in such an environment moving forward.

“We strive to represent South Alabama in a first-class manner and we will utilize this as a teachable moment for both our student-athletes and coaching staff.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Marlin and his program, and am looking forward to continuing the rivalry between the two schools.”

Benson also said, “I also applaud Coach Graves and Coach Marlin for coming forward and recognizing that the behavior of their teams … was unacceptable.”

“Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of the head coach to have their teams composed and to ensure good sportsmanship,” the commissioner added. “There was a failure to do so. … Both coaches understand this and both coaches understand their teams are expected to meet our standards of conduct.”

South Alabama was called for five of the technicals and UL four, including one each on Bryce Washington, Johnathan Stove, Shawn Long and a Cajun assistant coach.