MONROE,
La. ?
The ULM men's basketball team jumped out to a big advantage early and held on
late for a 73-69 win over rival Louisiana-Lafayette inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum
on Thursday evening.
Junior Kenneth Averette tallied a career-high
16 points and was matched by junior Dynile Forbes for the team-high mark for
the Warhawks. Senior Afam Nweke added 12 points and sophomore Lawrence Gilbert
added 10 to round out the double-digit scorers.
Randell Daigle tried to shoot the Ragin'
Cajuns back into the game, hitting five treys in the second half on his way to
a game-high 23 points.
The win, coupled with the other results
around the league, moved ULM (9-15, 5-8 Sun Belt) up two spots in the overall
standings. The Warhawks moved into a four-way tie for seventh place, a jumble
that includes Thursday night's opponent Louisiana-Lafayette (8-16, 5-8 Sun
Belt).
After a back and forth opening 10 minutes that
included a trio of lead changes and five ties, the Warhawks began to pull away.
Tied 21-21 with just over seven minutes
remaining in the opening period, the Warhawks offense took off. A pair of treys
by Forbes sandwiched around a streaking Averette began a 14-0 run by the
Warhawks over a three-minute period to give ULM a double-digit advantage.
The Warhawks would end the half on a 22-6 run
over the final seven minutes to stake a 43-27 advantage into the intermission.
Forbes had eight points during the stretch to pace ULM with 10 points before
the break.
ULM would maintain its double-digit lead
until a barrage of treys cut the lead to four points with 46 seconds remaining.
Nweke hit a pair of free throws to move the advantage to a comfortable two
possessions and the Warhawks held on for the victory.
Junior Malcolm Thomas finished with nine
points and nine rebounds while Averette ended the contest with a game-high four
assists. He combined with junior Reggie Lassiter to finish for seven assists
and one turnover.
ULM remains at home Saturday when it hosts
league-leading UALR inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum in the second half of a double
header at approximately 7 p.m.
