SAN MARCOS, Texas - Priscilla Mbiandja
recorded her first career double-double on Tuesday night as ULM was able to
hold of Texas State late in the second half for a 54-48 win inside Strahan
Coliseum.
ULM (1-1) built a comfortable double-digit
lead with less than 13 minutes to play in the second half, before Texas State
(1-1) made things interesting down the stretch. The Bobcats got to within a
field goal, before the Warhawks late game free throws sealed the victory.
Mbiandja led the Warhawks with 16 points and
13 rebounds, seven offensive, along with four assists and two steals in 38
minutes of action. Sannisha Williams grabbed 12 rebounds, to go along with six points
and three steals. Shannon Davis again had another strong performance, as she
chipped in 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds for ULM.
Texas State was led by Chika Ofoegbu's 17
points on 8-of-9 shooting. Aimee Hilburn also added six points, eight rebounds,
and five assists for the Bobcats.
After Texas State tied a school record with
14 3-pointer during its last outing on Friday, ULM forced the Bobcats into a 2-for-14
shooting performance from behind the arc.
ULM used its stifling defense to hold Texas
State scoreless for the first 4:20 of the game, while Priscilla Mbiandja led
the Warhawk offense. She scored nine first half points as ULM's early 5-2 lead
ballooned to as many as 13 points, 21-8, with just over seven minutes remaining
in the half.
Texas State fought back over the final
portion of the opening period, outscoring the Warhawks down the stretch 14-7.
ULM took a 27-22 lead into the intermission, after holding the Bobcats to one
3-pointer on nine attempts and under 29 percent shooting from the field.
The Bobcats continued to chip away at the
Warhawks lead and got to within two, 29-27, before ULM used a two minute 10-0
run to expand its advantage back to 39-27.
With the Warhawks leading by nine with four
minutes to go, the Bobcats began their run at a comeback victory. Hilburn knocked
down a jumper to minimize the ULM lead to seven, 50-43, with three minutes to
play. Following a series of Texas State three throws, ULM found itself clinging
to a three-point lead, 50-47, lead with a 1:49 to play.
The Warhawks took the ball strong to the
bucket and worked themselves to the charity stripe. At the line, Mbiandja,
Williams, and Sumar Leslie sank free throws to seal the win.
The contest was delayed 45 minutes due to a
car accident that cut off power to Strahan Coliseum.
ULM continues its three-game season-opening
road trip with a 7 p.m. showdown against Northwestern State on Friday night
inside Prather Coliseum.
