MONROE,
La. - The ULM women's basketball team used a hot start to defeat Northwestern
State 81-68 on Friday evening inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
The
Warhawks (2-1) shot 53.3 percent from the field in the first half and limited
the Lady Demons to 32.1 percent shooting in the half to take control of the
game early.
Junior
guard Kassie Courtney led the Warhawks with 17 points on a perfect 3-of-3
shooting effort from 3-point range. Senior forward Sannisha Williams provided
16 points, five rebounds and three assists, while senior guard Priscilla
Mbiandja recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and a
team-high 11 rebounds.
ULM
dominated Northwestern State (1-2) on the boards with a 52-29 rebounding edge. The
Warhawks took advantage of its extra opportunities, outscoring Northwestern
State 20-8 in second-chance points. ULM also had a 46-24 advantage in points in
the paint.
ULM
opened the game on a 14-2 run and never trailed. Mbiandja scored the first
eight points for the Warhawks, including a pair of 3-point plays. Courtney
capped the run with her first 3-pointer of the night at the 16:00 mark.
The
Warhawks took their biggest lead of the game at 42-19 with a 13-1 run late in
the first half. Courtney hit a 3-pointer to spark the run, followed by a layup
from junior center Larrie Williams with 5:37 remaining in the half.
Sophomore
guard Ashley Wakefield nailed a jumper, before four free throws from Courtney
gave ULM a 40-18 lead at the 3:50 mark. Sannisha Williams finished the run with
a layup with 2:37 remaining in the half.
The
Warhawks shot 53.3 percent in the first half and took a 46-27 lead into the
break. Courtney and Sannisha Williams each tallied double figures in the half
with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Northwestern
State cut the ULM lead to 14 points on three occasions in the second half, but
could get no closer until the final minute. The Lady Demons were led by Trudy
Armstead, who registered a game-high 23 points to go with nine rebounds.
Jessica McPhail was the only other Northwestern State player in double figures
with 11 points.
The
Warhawks return to action Tuesday on the road against Centenary at 5:30 p.m.
