LAS CRUCES, N.M. - ULM jumped out to an early lead and held
on to beat Alcorn State 63-55 Saturday on the final day of the New Mexico State
Tournament at the Pan American Center.
The Warhawks (4-2) scored the first 16 points of the game,
but had to hold on as Alcorn State got to within three points midway through
the second half. ULM shot 43.8 percent from the field, but made just 1 of 9
shots from the 3-point line.
Junior center Larrie Williams was the only ULM player in
double figures as she recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds for her first
double-double of the season. The native of Little Rock, Ark., made 4 of 9 shots
from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line.
Junior guard Kassie Courtney provided nine points and three
assists, while senior forward Sannisha Williams and junior guard Elizabeth
Torres had eight points each.
The Warhawks used an 11-3 run to regain their double-digit
lead at 61-50 with 41 seconds remaining. Sophomore guard Ashley Wakefield
capped the run with a free throw, before Kiara Ruffin hit a 3-pointer to cut
the ULM lead to eight points with 33 seconds left.
Wakefield knocked in a pair of free throws to extend the
lead back to double digits at 63-53 with 28 seconds left.
Ruffin scored a game-high 19 points for Alcorn State, who
dropped to 0-5 on the season. Renelle Richmond chipped in 11 points and Carolinsia Crumbly
finished with 10 points.
The Warhawks return home to face Grambling State Nov. 30 at
7 p.m. inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
