LAS VEGAS -- Ashleigh Simmons and Alexar Tugler each reached double-figures but it was not enough as ULM dropped a 76-61 decision to Pittsburgh on Thursday inside Cox Pavilion on the second day of the Duel in the Desert hosted by UNLV.
Like the Warhawks (4-7) did on Wednesday against Washington, the squad got off to a quick start as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead with 17:11 to play in the opening half.
Pittsburgh (7-5) responded to the ULM opening run with a 24-6 run of their own over a span of 8:24 to take a 28-13 lead with 7:40 remaining on the clock in the first half.
The Panthers led by as many as 20 in the first half before taking an 11-point lead (39-28) into the locker room at the break.
The Warhawks were only able to get the deficit below 10 points one time in the second half. Elexar Tugler rattled home a three-pointer to close the gap to eight points (66-58) with 3:01 to play in the contest.
Simmons led the Warhawks with 18 points while she grabbed five rebounds and tallied two assists. Alexar Tugler tallied 15 points to go along with four rebounds.
Pittsburgh's Brianna Kiesel led all scorers with 25 points, while Asia Logan finished with a double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds).
The Warhawks will close out the 2013 Duel in the Desert tomorrow afternoon when they face DePaul at 4:30 p.m. (CT).
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