MONROE, La. – Arkansas State was able to counter each of ULM's offensive bursts, and the Red Wolves won 78-64 over the Warhawks on Saturday afternoon in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
“This may sound really odd, but we are encouraged what we just saw,” head coach Jeff Dow said. “There were times where we could have let it get away from us. There's a reason Arkansas State is undefeated in the Sun Belt and have a 20-3 record.”
The Red Wolves (20-3, 14-0 SBC) closed the first quarter on an 18-5 run after back-to-back layups had given ULM a 6-5 lead. The first of those came after Ashley Aune tipped a pass on the press to Aundrea Davis at half-court, who then finished with a bucket from the left side.
Khadija Brown-Haywood's three-pointer at the 3:48 mark of the second quarter gave Arkansas State a 38-18 lead, its largest to that point, but ULM held the Red Wolves off the board for the remainder of the half to trail just 38-25. Brown-Haywood had a game-high 29 points.
“We never stopped competing,” Dow said. “We had kids in foul trouble, but from an offensive standpoint, the last three quarters we shot 46, 54 and 58 percent. It gets tough when you're struggling, but I was encouraged.”
The Warhawks (9-14, 3-11 SBC) posted another 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter that got them within 54-43. Journee Beard got credit for the ending. Her moves on the defensive end forced an errant pass that Alayshia Hunter grabbed and then nailed a three-pointer in front of the home bench on the ensuing possession.
Dow was also more than complimentary about his guards' play.
“Aundrea has been playing really well of late,” he said. “She is finding ways to make plays on both ends of the floor and has been a spark plug defensively. Every now and then she gets in the paint or knocks down a three.
“Chelsea has been playing the point a little bit as well and she was saddled with four fouls. That affects their minutes and how effective they can be. For Journee to play 22 minutes and walk away with no turnovers is a positive as well.”
ULM will embark on its second four-game road trip of the year, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. Thursday night game at Texas State.
Inside (and beyond) the Box Score
-The 36 points in the paint were ULM's most since having 38 in the win against Troy (Jan. 21).
-The team's 17 assists were its most since having 18 in that Troy contest as well.
-ULM allowed just 26 rebounds, tied for the lowest by an opponent since Little Rock had 26 on Jan. 9.
-The Warhawks were 7-for-12 (58.3 percent) from the field in the fourth quarter. Its best showing was a 10-for-15 (66.7 percent) mark in the third quarter of the season opener.
-Stephanie Ratliff tied a career-high with eight points, last set in the season opener. She was 4-for-4 from the field. Her three blocks tied a career-high she had set twice already on the year.
-Daja Chase dished out seven assists. It was more than just a career-high for the sophomore; it was the most by any Warhawk in a game this season.
-Lauren Marker made her only three-point attempt and knocked down both of her free-throws. The five points both set a new personal-best and came in a 2:10 span.
