HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? Sophomore Jesse Carrier poured in a career-high 17 points off a perfect 5-of-5 shooting behind the arc, but the ULM women's basketball team couldn't overcome the inside presence of Southern Mississippi Tuesday night, falling 79-65 in Hattiesburg, Miss.
“I thought we did a good job on the boards, but didn't really get to the loose balls quick enough,” ULM head coach Mona Martin said. “Southern Mississippi had a pair of girls who were 6-3 and 6-4 that really hurt us down low scoring.”
USM (4-0, 0-0 Conference USA) outscored the Warhawks by a 44-22 margin in the paint behind 35 points from the team's starting frontcourt. Forward Amber Eugene finished with a game-high 18 points off 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
ULM (3-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) took the early lead after back-to-back jumpers by senior Shannon Lloyd and junior Lottie Moore in the game's first two minutes. The Golden Eagles stormed back, scoring 14 of the next 16 points to take a 14-6 lead.
The Warhawks chipped away at the lead before entering the locker room trailing 34-27. Carrier finished with nine points in the first half to lead the team.
ULM would get as close as three points in the second half at the 17-minute mark before Southern Mississippi pulled away.
Although the Golden Eagles entered the game with the advantage in height, the Warhawks were able to maintain an advantage on the boards, out rebounding USM by a 30-25 margin. ULM also finished with 18 offensive rebounds, led by three sophomores Ashley Wallis and Shannon Davis. The Warhawks limited Southern Mississippi to only seven offensive boards.
For ULM, Carrier and Lloyd finished in double-figures, scoring 17 and 14 points, respectively. Southern Mississippi finished with four players scoring in double-digits. Senior LaJeanna Howard finished with six of the Warhawks 17 team assists.
ULM returns to action on Saturday, December 1 when they take on Alabama State in the opening round of the Taco Bell Classic in Monroe, La. at 3 p.m.
