MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team dropped Thursday's non-conference game to visiting Grambling State, 66-42, at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

Grambling (1-2), a team with 10 juniors or seniors, held ULM (1-2) without a field goal for over 15 minutes in the middle of the game, turning a 22-17 second quarter deficit into a 57-28 lead late in the third quarter.

"Hats off to Grambling," ULM women's basketball head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "They were better prepared and the better coached team tonight. We appreciate our medical staff and administration for all their diligent work behind the scenes to make the game happen for our student-athletes."

The two teams battled close in the first 14 minutes of the game. After Grambling scored the opening points of the game, senior Whitney Goins answered with a 3-pointer to give ULM a 3-2 edge. Grambling answered back with a trey by Alexus Holt to regain the edge. The Tigers used a 5-0 spurt, which included another triple by Holt, to gain a 12-7 lead. GSU led 16-13 after a quarter.

ULM opened the second quarter strong. The Warhawks scored nine of the quarter's first 10 points. A layup by freshman Gracen Williams tied the game at 17. Senior Kierra Crockett converted a 3-point play to put ULM on top, 20-17, with 6:33 to go before halftime. 31 seconds later, freshman Hannah Edwards buried a jumper from the left elbow to push the Warhawk lead to five at 22-17.

The Warhawks then went cold from the field as Grambling took over. ULM scored just a free throw over the remainder of the first half as the Tigers surged in front on the strength of a 19-1 run, using a pair of 3-pointers from Ireneshia Johnson, to lead 36-23 at the break.

Grambling scored the first 16 points of the second half as well and led by as much as 32 in the second half.

Junior Kierra Brimzy led ULM with 11 points while senior Whitney Goins had 10. Ariel Williams paced Grambling with 13 points and Holt added 12.

ULM shot 26.9% from the field (14-of-52) and struggled at the free throw line, converting just 11-of-26 attempts, good for 42%. Grambling didn't fare much better, shooting 33% from the floor (20-of-60), but knocked down seven 3-pointers and made 19-of-30 free throws (63%).

"We appreciate the crowd that came out tonight," Williams said. "We are certainly not happy with the production or outcome but look forward to using this game as a learning tool as we continue to grow the program."

The Warhawks return to the court at 1 p.m. Saturday in Natchitoches against Northwestern State. It is the season-opener for the Demons. For links to live video, audio and stats, visit ULMWarhawks.com.