RUSTON, La.?Shannon Lloyd scored 12 points and pulled down 13 rebounds leading ULM to a 71-50 blowout of arch-rival Louisiana Tech Tuesday night in the Thomas Assembly Center.
The 21-point victory is the largest for the Warhawks (6-2) in the 54 game series with the Lady Techsters (4-4). It also marks the first time that ULM has won back-to-back games against La. Tech since winning three straight from 1984-87; ULM beat La. Tech 58-54 last year in the first meeting between the two clubs since the 1998-99 season.
Four Warhawks finished in double figures led by sophomore Jessie Carrier's 15 points. Regena Jackson came off the bench to score 11 and Lottie Moore added 10. Jackson also had three assists and three steals, while Moore had four assists and five rebounds.
Shannon Davis provided the Warhawks with solid minutes off the bench. While only scoring four points in 18 minutes, she pulled down seven rebounds and committed just one foul turning in a solid defensive performance.
JoKeirra Sneed led Louisiana Tech with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but turned the ball over eight times. Shanavia Dowdell added 11 points.
Leading 40-37 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game the Warhawks went on a 15-1 run over the next six minutes opening a commanding 16-point lead. Following one of 21 Louisiana Tech turnovers, freshman Kassie Courtney drained a three-pointer to spark the run.
Dowdell pulled Tech within 12 with just over six minutes remaining with a long ball, but the Warhawks ended the game on a 14-5 run to clinch the victory.
The Warhawks lit up the nets in the second half connecting on 50.0 percent (11-of-22) of their attempts, while holding the Lady Techsters to just 23.3 percent (7-of-30) for the half and 34.5 percent for the game.
ULM finished the game shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Warhawks connected on 12-of-17 from the charity stripe in the second half protecting their lead.
After the teams traded opening buckets, ULM went on a 9-2 run grabbing an 11-4 lead in the opening of the game. The Warhawks lead hovered between three and five points over the next four minutes until a pair of free throws by Sneed gave the Lady Techsters a one point lead, 16-15.
The teams once again swapped points and La. Tech led 20-19 with 10:32 to play in the half; the last time they would be in front for the remainder of the game.
Jackson and LaJeanna Howard drained back-to-back three pointers putting the Warhawks in the lead 25-20. Howard nailed another long-range bomb and Carrier knocked in a couple jumpers giving ULM a 36-30 lead at the break. Howard finished with eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Warhawks wrap up their four game road swing Monday and Tuesday at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. ULM is matched up against St. John's in the opening round at 4:00 p.m. on Monday and then will player either the host Blazers or Delaware State on Tuesday.
