MONROE, La. - Sophomore Marcelis Hansberry missed a 3-point attempt
from half court with time expiring as Louisiana Tech held on to defeat ULM
73-71 Saturday in a wild game inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
The Bulldogs looked to be in control of the game when Raheem Appleby
hit a pair of free throws to give Tech a 65-57 advantage with 2:36 remaining, but
ULM responded by scoring 14 points in the final two and half minutes and
getting as close as one in the final seconds.
The Warhawks (1-7) shot 54.5 percent in the second half and finished at
40.4 percent for the game. ULM knocked in six 3-pointers and made a season-best
19-of-23 from the free-throw line. Louisiana Tech (3-4) shot 42.6 percent for
the game, including 8-of-24 shooting from beyond the arc.
Senior guard Fred Brown led the way for the Warhawks with 17 points -
all in the second half - on 4-of-10 shooting. Brown tied a season high with
four 3-pointers in the game, including two in the final minute.
Brown's fourth 3-pointer of the night cut the Louisiana Tech lead to 72-69
with 21 seconds remaining. On Tech's ensuing possession, Kenyon McNeail missed
both free throw attempts to give ULM a chance to tie with 18 seconds remaining.
Sophomore Charles Winborne got fouled with 4.4 seconds remaining and
converted both free throws. Romario Souza converted 1- of-2 from the charity
stripe, giving the Warhawks the final possession with 3.8 seconds on the clock.
Winborne finished in double figures for the third straight game with 15
points and a team-high five assists. Senior Christian Bibi Ndongo recorded a
career-high 10 points and five rebounds off the bench for the Warhawks.
Appleby scored a career-best 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting to lead the
way for Louisiana Tech, while Johnson registered 14 points and finished with four
3-pointers. Johnson hit a pair of big 3-pointers as part of a 9-0 run as
Louisiana Tech grabbed a 65-57 lead with 2:36 remaining.
The Bulldogs held a 28-24 advantage in the paint and a pivotal 23-9
edge in points off turnovers. The Warhawks, who entered the game as one of the
best teams in the Sun Belt at holding onto the ball, finished with 17
turnovers.
ULM scored the final six points of the first half to close within 32-29
at the break. The Warhawks struggled to shoot in the half, converting just 31.4
percent from the field.
The Bulldogs took control in the first half with a quick 10-0 run that
included a pair of 3-pointers. Trevor Gaskins capped the run with a layup to
give Louisiana Tech a 25-15 run with 8:54 remaining in the first half.
ULM travels to College Station, Texas, Saturday (Dec. 10) to take on
Texas A&M at 7 p.m.
