BOCA RATON, Fla. -- ULM
(5-15, 3-8) used an offensive explosion to beat Florida Atlantic (10-10, 7-5)
on Wednesday night, 90-86. It was the most points since Dec. 29, 2010 against
FAU (83).
ULM collected its first back-to-back wins of the season as
it tied up the all-time series at four wins apiece while handing FAU its first
home Sun Belt loss of the season.
Five Warhawks scored in double figures for the 11th time in
program history and the second time this season. Alexar and Elexar Tugler led
ULM with 19 points, a career-high for Elexar while Alexar also pulled down 10
rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Ashleigh Simmons collected
her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Christina Gray, perhaps the player of the game, finished with
12 points but took two charges towards the end of the game, hit two clutch free
throws and collected a steal at a crucial time. Alayshia Hunter chipped in 11
points.
Breana Turner led all scorers with a career-high 32 points
before fouling out in the final minute.
Both teams started strong and were tied 8-8 at the arrival
of the first media timeout with 15:43 remaining in the first half. The game remained tied at 18-18 at the
12-minute mark.
The Owls took its largest lead of the night at the time,
24-20, at the 11-minute mark following a ULM turnover. Jasmine Shaw tied the
game again, 28-28, with a jumper with 8:51 on the clock.
Alexar Tugler gave ULM its largest lead of the night up to
that point, 39-34, with a three-pointer from the top of the key with 5:44 left
before halftime.
Following three free throws with no time on the clock after
a foul on a half court heave by Briah Blakely, ULM lead 51-48 at halftime. Turner
led all scorers with 22 points while Simmons (12), Alexar Tugler (11) and Gray
(10) all finished the half in double-figures.
ULM topped Saturday's 48-point first-half performance with a
season-high 51 points in the first half on 55.3% shooting. The Warhawks turned
the ball on just four occasions.
A three-point play from Alexar Tugler gave ULM a 56-50 lead
with 17:45 to go in the game. The tempo to start the second half quickened from
a fast-paced first half.
The Maroon & Gold held onto that six-point lead, 69-63,
with 11:41 left in the contest. FAU got within one on two occasions before a
ULM three-pointer widened the gap.
The Warhawks continued to battle down the stretch and did
not relinquish its lead until Takia Brooks tied the game at 82-82 at the
three-minute mark.
Elexar Tugler knocked down two more free throws to extend
the lead to 86-82 with two minutes to play. A great steal from Gray would seal
the 90-86 victory.
The Warhawks will continue its road trip at FIU on Saturday
at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Coach Martin Quotes
"I enjoyed this game. There were some parts that were frustrating but we
played very well. It was our best performance in along time."
"Christina Gray was special tonight. She made some clutch
plays. I am proud of everyone, especially our rebounders."
"We made good passes inside and were aggressive. The big key
was the turnovers. With only four at half, that was huge."
"We have some momentum and we need to keep building
towards the tournament and maybe we could do some damage."
