MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team posted one of its better defensive efforts of the season on Saturday, but the Warhawks struggled to hit shots on the offensive end as Georgia State held off a ULM rally for a 52-43 win at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
Saturday's game marked ULM's Play 4 Kay game, as the team recognized cancer fighters, survivors and their families.
"What a special day for us to be able to honor cancer survivors and fighters," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "It was another close battle. We are proud of our fight and disappointed we couldn't finish."
Georgia State's (8-16 overall, 5-8 Sun Belt) 52 points was the fewest allowed in a game by ULM (3-21, 1-12) this season. However, ULM shot just 26.4% from the field (14-of-53) and scored just 43 points. It matches the lowest point total allowed by Georgia State this season.
ULM started quickly in the first quarter. Amber Thompson drained a 3-pointer on the opening possession, and knocked down another moments later to put ULM up 10-6 with just under five minutes left in the quarter. GSU scored seven straight points, sparked by Shaquanda Miller-McCray's three-point play, and took a 13-10 advantage. Whitney Goins drained a pair of free throws as ULM trailed 13-12 after a quarter.
In the second quarter, ULM regained the lead. A free throw by Linda van Schaik tied the game, and Gara Beth Self knocked down a jumper to put ULM up 15-13 with 7:37 left in the half. After GSU tied the game, Goins canned her first trey of the quarter to put ULM back up 18-15 with 4:48 left in the half. However, the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to take a 23-18 lead. Goins hit another 3-pointer late in the half, but GSU took a five-point lead to halftime, 26-21, after Moriah Taylor answered for the Panthers.
Georgia State quickly stretched the lead to 10 early in the third quarter, but ULM responded. The Warhawks scored five of the final six points of the third quarter, getting within three on a pair of free throws by Jamie Means, and trailed 42-39 heading to the fourth quarter.
ULM continued the momentum into the fourth quarter. Diamond Brooks hit a jumper to bring the Warhawks within a point at 42-41 with 9:30 to play. The Warhawks picked up a defensive stop and had a chance to take the lead, but a turnover cut the possession short. GSU's Taylor Henderson answered with a jumper to push the lead back to three at 44-41. After the Panthers extended the lead back to five at 46-41, Self converted on a bucket in the paint to bring ULM within three at 46-43 with 6:30 remaining. However, ULM would not score for the rest of the game, as Georgia State slowly pulled away for the 52-43 victory.
Thompson was the only Warhawk in double figures with 13 points, while Brooks added eight points and 10 rebounds. Henderson led GSU with 10 points.
The Warhawks wrap up the four-game home stand at noon Saturday against the Ragin' Cajuns. For tickets, call 318-342-HAWK or visit ULMWarhawks.com. Links to live video, audio and stats are available at ULMWarhawks.com.
