MONROE,
La. --- Ashley Wallis scored 15 points pacing a balanced ULM attack in a 75-57
victory over Southern Miss inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La., Tuesday
night.
Wallis'
15 points, a career-high, was one of three double-digit scorers for the
Warhawks (4-1), who have now won four straight games. Shannon Davis added 13
points, a career-high ? along with seven rebounds, and Lottie Moore chipped in 10 points, six
rebounds, four assists and two steals. In total, 11 Warhawks scored at least
four points.
The
game's only double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds, by Amber Eugene led
Southern Miss (2-2). Pauline Love also chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds
for the Golden Eagles, who were picked to win Conference USA in the league's
preseason poll.
“This
game is a huge confidence booster for our entire team,” ULM head coach Mona
Martin said. “We have had a hard four or five days and I am pleased with the
overall effort.”
The
Warhawks have now won four of the last five meetings in the series.
ULM's
press defense forced the Golden Eagles into a season-high 28 turnovers. The
Warhawks turned those turnovers into 27 points, while turning the ball over a
season-low 17 times.
“I
thought we were outsized and our depth helped us tremendously tonight,” Martin
said. “Our pressure defense was a key along with our depth. I think it says
volumes for our team to defeat a team that was predicted to win their
conference.”
Both
teams exchanged points for the first five minutes before the Warhawk defensive
pressure stepped up. ULM increased its lead from two to as many as 11, 24-13,
with 9:49 on the clock.
Southern
Miss fought back chipping away at the Warhawk lead little by little. ULM took a
four-point lead into halftime, 32-28.
Jordan
Rawson led nine Warhawks who scored in the opening half with six points on
3-of-4 shooting from the field.
“I
think it says a lot about how unselfish we are having that many players score,”
Martin said. “It doesn't matter who is scoring, every game somebody new steps
up. I thought Shannon Davis was unbelievable tonight.”
The
Golden Eagles and Warhawks exchanged buckets for first four minutes of the
second half before the ULM defense, just like in the first half, turned up the
heat. In a matter of just over two minutes, the Warhawk lead went from five
points to 12. ULM held Southern Miss to
one shot and caused a pair of turnovers during the run.
“I
think our commitment and how hard we are playing is why they wore down towards
the end. They say defense wins games and I totally agree with that,” Martin
said after the victory.
Throughout
the remaining 13-plus minutes, ULM preserved its double-digit lead and filtered
in its entire bench. There were five Warhawk reserves that played double-digit
minutes, led by Sumar Leslie's 17.
The
Warhawks host Tulane on
Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
