MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team was unable to
take advantage of a late comeback in the final minutes of the game and dropped
a 78-67 decision to Tulane Monday evening in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
The Warhawks fought back from a 10-point deficit on the
strength of an 11-4 run to come within three with just four minutes left to
play. ULM would score only once more as a final 10-2 streak lifted Tulane to
the win, the Warhawks going just 1-for-8 from the field during that span.
Senior forward Sannisha Williams was just one rebound shy of
her second double-double of the season with 13 points and nine rebounds, going
6-for-12 from the field. Junior guard Kassie Courtney led the Warhawks in
scoring with a 6 of 11 performance including going 3-of-4 from the free throw
line for 15 points on the night. Courtney also contributed four rebounds and
three assists of her own. As a team ULM
shot 44.3 percent from the field.
ULM (6-6) grabbed an early 11-6 lead to start the first half
before back-to-back baskets by Brittany Lindsey sparked a 9-0 run over a two-minute
span to give Tulane (8-2) a 15-11 advantage at the 11:32 mark. The Green Wave
took its biggest lead of the half at 27-17 off a Brett Benzio layup with 6:04
remaining before the break.
The Warhawks immediately responded with a layup by Jordan Rawson
and an Alexar Tugler 3-pointer, fueling a 14-5 streak to cut Tulane's lead to
just two points at 33-31 with 1:08 left in the half. Elexar Tugler knocked down
a basket from the long range to come within one, 35-34, before a buzzer-beating
3-pointer by Roshaunda Barnes made the score 38-34 at the half.
ULM came out of the break with two baskets by Sannisha
Williams and a layup by Elizabeth Torres to quickly tie the score at 40-all
with 18:13 to play. Tulane reclaimed the lead permanently at the 15:05 mark,
scoring 10 points to just two for ULM over three minutes to go up 59-50.
Danielle Nunn hit a free throw with 8:43 on the clock to tie the Green Wave's
biggest lead of the game, 64-54.
Tulane saw five players score double-digits led by Lindsey
who put up 18 for the contest. Barnes and Nunn were just one point back with 17
each, while Benzio and Tiffany Aidoo chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. Olivia
Grayson led the Green Wave with six rebounds and five assists. Tulane edged ULM
in shooting percentage, going 49.1 percent from the field.
The Warhawks will
enjoy a short Holiday break before opening Sun Belt Conference play at home
when Florida Atlantic visits Wednesday Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. followed by FIU Sunday
Jan. 2 at 1 p.m.
