MONROE, La. – The Ragin' Cajuns used an 8-0 run to open the second half to gain control and prevented ULM from getting back in the game in a 65-51 win Thursday afternoon at the Cajundome.
The Ragin' Cajuns won their 10th consecutive game while missing one of their top players, while the Warhawks couldn't take advantage of big games from freshmen Morgan Hill and Gracen Williams.
"I am proud of how we battled today but disappointed our group couldn't put four quarters together to pull off the win," ULM head coach Brooks Donald Williams said. "Lafayette is tough. Defensively, they are as tough as anyone we've played. I thought we handled their pressure well, especially Gracen Williams. She certainly did not play like a freshman today."
The Cajuns lost leading scorer and rebounder Ty'Reona Doucet to injury on the opening possession of the game. Doucet exited with an apparent leg injury and did not return. However, the Cajuns adjusted and opened the game with a 9-2 lead thanks a layup by Caira Wren. Whitney Goins knocked down a 3-pointer for ULM, but the Cajuns answered with an 8-0 run to build a 17-5 lead. ULM used a pair of layups by Hill to cut the deficit to eight after a quarter, 19-11.
The Warhawks continued to chip away at the deficit in the second quarter. Kierra Crockett and Gara Beth Self knocked down back-to-back buckets to cut the gap to three at 22-19. After Makayla Hallmon knocked down a 3-pointer to answer, Crockett and Kierra Brimzy followed with a pair of quick buckets to bring ULM within two at 25-23 with 2:19 left in the half. The Cajuns rebuilt the lead to four at halftime, 31-27.
The Ragin' Cajuns scored the first eight points of the third quarter to rebuild a 12-point lead at 39-27. ULM pulled within eight three times, once at 39-31 on a layup from Crockett, and again at 41-33 and 43-35 on jumpers by Brimzy. The Cajuns squashed ULM's brief bursts of momentum as Brandi Williams hit a pair of free throws to increase the lead back to 12, 47-35. The Cajuns led 48-38 after three quarters.
Jomyra Mathis opened the final quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Cajuns their largest lead at 51-38. A jumper by Brimzy brought ULM back within 11 at 51-40, but the Warhawks would get no closer. The Cajuns led by as much as 17 down the stretch, but never by less than 11 as they went on to the 65-51 victory.
Hill led ULM with 11 points and added eight rebounds. Crockett just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Gracen Williams had a season-high seven points with five assists.
Hallmon paced the Cajuns with a career-high 24 points while Skyler Goodwin added 14 points.
"We are excited about the opportunity to get back home, regroup, make adjustments and compete in front of our fans on Saturday," Brooks Williams said.
The Warhawks and Cajuns meet again at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Links to live video, audio and stats are available on the women's basketball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.
