MONROE, La. – South Alabama scored the first nine points of the game and never trailed, as the Jaguars picked up a 69-54 win over ULM Thursday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
 
ULM second-year freshman Kyren Whittington led all scorers with a career-high 26 points. USA's Jaylin Powell finished with 20 points to lead five Jaguars in double figures. Warhawk second-year freshman Tasionna McDowell had seven points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
 
The Warhawks had a tough shooting night, finishing at 26% (19-of-72) from the field and 1-of-11 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, USA finished at 45% (24-of-53) from the floor and 7-of-17 (41%) from 3-point range. ULM won the rebounding battle, 47-38, and finished with 23 offensive rebounds. The Warhawks also had fewer turnovers than USA, 19-15.
 
ULM did not score in the first five minutes of the game as the Jaguars had four different players contribute for the 9-0 advantage. The Warhawks fought back, closing the gap to 11-8 on Whittington's layup with 2:43 left in the quarter. However, USA closed the quarter with a 6-1 spurt, including Mahogany Vaught's layup at the buzzer to rebuild the Jaguar lead to nine, 20-11.
 
USA extended the lead to 12 early in the third quarter, but the Warhawks rallied again, this time on the back of McDowell. She scored all seven of her points in a span of 1:21 in the second quarter, scoring twice of offensive rebounds, including a three-point play that brought ULM within five, 27-22, with 5:11 remaining before halftime.
 
The Jags outscored ULM 9-2 for the remainder of the half, regaining a double-digit advantage at the break, 36-24.
 
USA extended the lead to as much as 25 in the third quarter. ULM had one final push in the fourth quarter, using an 11-0 run to pull within 11 at 60-49 with 3:51 remaining. However, USA scored the next six points to end the comeback attempt, going on to the 69-54 win.
 
The Warhawks open a four-game road swing at 2 p.m. Saturday with a visit to defending Sun Belt Conference Champion Troy.