MONROE, La. - The ULM women's basketball team
erased a seven-point halftime deficit, and senior Larrie Williams reached rare
company in school history as the Warhawks defeated South Alabama 55-52 Saturday
afternoon inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
Williams became the 16th player in program
history to score 1,000 career points early in the first half. The 6-2 center now has 1,011 points as a
Warhawk.
ULM controlled scoring in the paint 30-20,
points off turnovers 22-16, and fast break points 8-2. The Warhawks also forced 18 South Alabama
turnovers.
Sophomore Jasmine Shaw made a nice cut to the
hoop for a quick 2-0 Warhawk lead. Mansa
El responded with a deep triple from the left wing to give South Alabama a 3-2
advantage. El banked home another
3-pointer to stretch the lead to 6-2.
ULM (8-17, 6-6) cut into the lead with a 6-2
surge to close the deficit to two (11-9).
South Alabama's (15-10, 8-5) Lauren Walker connected on a jumper to push
the cushion to 13-9.
Williams notched her historic bucket on a
turnaround in the lane to bring the Warhawks within three at 20-17. The Lady Jaguars took a 31-24 lead into
halftime after a made layup from Veronica Cherizol. Shaw paced ULM with nine points, while
Williams added seven points, five rebounds and one blocked shot at the break.
The Warhawks used a 9-4 surge out of the
locker room to draw within two (35-33), capped by a sophomore Reagan Maricle lay
in. Sarda Peterson buried a 3-pointer
for South Alabama to push the visitors lead to 38-33.
ULM retook the lead at 40-39 following a tip-in
from sophomore Ashleigh Simmons and an inside jumper from Williams. The Lady Jaguars vaulted back in front on a
pair of jumpers from El and Walker (45-42).
Sophomore Alexar Tugler made a clean steal
off a Mary Nixon drive, taking the ball coast-to-coast for the finish. Senior Elizabeth Torres then drew a fast
break and-1 after a steal of her own to give ULM its biggest lead of the game
49-45.
Williams and Shaw each led ULM with 15
points, while Alexar Tugler chipped in 11 points and two steals.
El scored a game-high 20 points to lead South
Alabama. Peterson added eight points and
two assists.
The Warhawks begin a two-game road trip at
North Texas Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
