NATCHITOCHES, La. - A 25-point performance
from senior Larrie Williams and a 47-point second half powered the ULM women's
basketball team to an 84-68 win over Northwestern State Wednesday afternoon
inside Prather Coliseum.
The Warhawks (2-11) dominated the glass 71-40
over the Lady Demons, holding a 32-19 edge in offensive rebounds. The 71 rebounds were just four from equaling
the all-time ULM team record set Feb. 26, 1985 against North Texas. The Warhawks also outscored Northwestern
State 42-32 in the paint, and finished 19 second-chance points.
Jordi James got the Lady Demons on the
scoreboard first with a 3-pointer from the right corner. Sophomore Alexar Tugler responded, driving
baseline for the lay in to bring ULM within one at 3-2. Williams finished an offensive rebound the
next trip down the floor to give the Warhawks a 4-3 advantage.
A Tugler 3-pointer and a Williams layup keyed
a 7-0 run as ULM opened a 15-9 lead. Northwestern
State (3-8) responded with a 10-1 surge highlighted by a Ronikka Drake jumper
to reclaim the lead (18-16). Sophomore Ashleigh
Simmons answered with a ULM jumper to tie the game at 18-all.
The Lady Demons embarked on a 12-4 run to
take the largest lead of the game at 30-22 with just over 4:00 left in the
opening half. The Warhawks answered with
a frenzied 15-4 run to take a 37-34 lead into the break. Williams led all scorers with 21 points, and
added seven rebounds.
Tugler finished a nice feed from senior Elizabeth
Torres for the first points of the second half to extend ULM's lead to 39-34. Sophomore Jasmine Shaw drove through the lane
the next Warhawk possession to open a seven-point cushion (41-34).
ULM continued to apply the pressure, as a
3-pointer from Torres at the top of the key extended the Warhawk lead to 11
(52-41) with 13:57 to play. Another
triple from Torres and a pair of free throws from freshman Sharnice Brooks gave
the Warhawks a 16-point advantage at 57-41.
Williams' 25 points led all scorers, and she
added 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Tugler chipped in a career-high 18 points, 10 rebounds and two steals,
while Torres added 12 points (4-for-4 from the field), seven assists and two
steals.
James paced Northwestern State with 23
points, while Jasmine Upchurch chipped in 20 points and a game-high 16
rebounds.
ULM opens Sun Belt Conference play Dec. 29
against Western Kentucky at 5:30 p.m. inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The game will be televised on the Hilltopper Sports Satellite Network.
