LAKE CHARLES, La. – The ULM women's basketball team used a strong first quarter to cruise to a 73-62 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Friday.
 
It was the second game of the McNeese Multi-Team Event for the Warhawks (3-1) after defeating Milwaukee on Thursday, 73-67.
 
ULM started hot with four three-point shots within the first four minutes. Jakayla Johnson accounted for 14 of the 24 points scored in the quarter with her making three 3-pointers and a jumper to end the quarter. The Warhawks' defense held the Devilettes (1-3) to just seven points for a 24-7 advantage.
 
ULM kept up the momentum in the second. With the score at 31-16, the Warhawks produced a 10-1 scoring run to increase the lead to 24. They led by as much as 29 and went into halftime with a commanding 48-23 lead.
 
After MVSU started the third quarter with a 3-pointer, the Warhawks responded with a 10-0 run to expand the lead to 32. The Devilettes produced a 10-0 run of their own to close out the quarter trailing 58-36.
 
MVSU brought the momentum early in the fourth with a 9-0 run to start the quarter. Suddenly, it was a 13-point game. Although the Devilettes outscored the Warhawks 26-15 in the quarter, ULM was able to do enough to keep MVSU at bay and come out with a victory.
 
Johnson led the Warhawks with 18 points. Nunu Bradford had 12 points along with nine assists and five rebounds. Kyjai Miles had a team-leading 10 rebounds.
 
ULM will finish the MTE against the host team in McNeese at 4 p.m. Saturday.