MONROE, La. – A 13-0 run midway through the first quarter gave the ULM women's basketball team all the separation it needed, coasting to a 84-40 exhibition win over Louisiana College Tuesday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
"It was a great confidence builder tonight," head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "I just thought it was really good for our team and a great team win."
ULM had five players score in double figures in the game, with two others scoring more than eight points.
"It was great to share the basketball," Williams said. "I thought we executed well in the transition game and in the half court."
After the Wildcats (2-5) hit the opening 3-pointer of the night, ULM (1-7) scored the next six points for an early 6-3 advantage on a layup by junior Whitney Goins off an assist from senior Lauren Fitch. After free throws for LC, the Warhawks embarked on a 13-0 run, using five layups and a 3-pointer by freshman Gara Beth Self, to take a 21-8 lead. ULM led 21-10 after a quarter.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats crept back within eight at 21-13, but ULM answered again. Sophomore Jamie Means hit a baseline jumper and freshman Linda van Schaik knocked down a trey to push the lead back to double digits. ULM used an 8-0 run, featuring a 3-point play by senior Amber Thompson, to take a 34-16 lead. The Warhawks had another quick 6-0 spurt with another trey by Self to extend the lead to 21 at halftime, 41-20.
ULM continued to pour it on in the third quarter. The Warhawks scored the first eight points of the half. ULM pushed the lead over 30 points for the first time on a quick 5-0 spurt by van Schaik, who knocked down a 3-pointer, then forced a steal and converted the layup on the fast break for the 56-25 edge with 6:06 left in the quarter.
ULM pushed the lead out to as much as 38 in the quarter after five straight points from Means. ULM led 71-34 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter, ULM continued to pressure defensively and work inside offensively. Junior Diamond Brooks completed a 3-point play, and a layup by junior Kierra Crockett pushed the lead over 40 for the first time at 78-37 with 5:03 remaining.
Means led ULM with 13 points, while van Schaik had 12 points and Crockett, Brooks and Self had 11 each. Thompson and Coatney just missed double figures with nine and eight points, respectively.
The Warhawks dominated the rebounding battle, 51-25.
"It's been an emphasis for the last few weeks, and I thought they responded tonight on both ends," Williams said.
The Warhawks limited Louisiana College to 40 points and 22.4% shooting from the field.
"We got up and guarded them," Williams said. "We felt like that was a strength of ours tonight. I thought it certainly changed the tempo and changed the outcome of the game."
ULM shot 51.9% (28-of-54) from the field, 22.2% (4-of-18) from the 3-point line and 66.7% (24-of-36) from the free throw line. ULM had 15 assists, 17 steals, seven blocks, but 27 turnovers. Louisiana College shot 22.4% (13-of-58) from the field, 26.1% (6-of-23) from 3-point range and 61.5% (8-of-13) at the free throw line. The Wildcats tallied eight assists, 15 steals and 24 turnovers.
Williams said the Warhawks will look to limit their turnovers.
"We appreciate their effort," Williams said. "We're going really hard in some spots and that's what's causing some of our turnovers. We've got to learn how to slow down and execute without turning the basketball over."
The Warhawks return to regular season action at 7 p.m. Friday at North Texas. Links to live video, audio and stats are available at ULMWarhawks.com.
