ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. – Daisha Bradford recorded her second double-double in her ULM career and Jakayla Johnson finished with 18 points as the ULM women's basketball team (8-1) extended its winning streak to eight games after defeating Northwestern State (4-5), 76-60, inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La.
 
"I thought we really defended well tonight," remarked Head Coach Missy Bilderback. "We did a great job of pressuring the basketball and defending their strengths on offense. We created offense from our defense, and I was very proud of that."
 
The Warhawks held NSU to a shooting percentage of 31.1% and limited the Demons to five three-point baskets. ULM forced 15 turnovers and capitalized offensively with 16 points from turnovers and 15 points from fast breaks.
 
"We really focus on our defense in practice," said Bradford. "We had the chance to show how good our defense can be tonight."
 
Bradford contributed a trio of steals and blocks to help ULM's strong defensive effort. The senior from Mobile, Ala., scored a game-high 23 points and tracked down 15 rebounds. Johnson knocked down three shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter and added three assists and a steal.
 
"I had some open looks early on in the game," said Johnson. "I was able to get in a rhythm early."
 
Joining Bradford and Johnson in double figures was Katlyn Manuel with 13 points and Sania Wells with 10 points. Manuel was one rebound shy of a double-double and grabbed five boards on the offensive end. Wells sank a trio of shots from the field and chipped in one steal.
 
Sharna Ayres was NSU's leading scorer with 22 points and shot 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Jiselle Woodson finished with 17 points and made nine free throws. Karmelah Dean passed a game-high five assists.
 
Johnson swished a triple in the corner to tie the score at 5-5 with just under 6:30 on the clock in the first quarter. Bradford connected from long distance and put the Warhawks ahead 10-9 at the first media timeout. After a block from Manuel, Johnson drilled her second three-pointer from the corner to push ULM's lead to four. Bradford increased the Warhawks' lead to six with a floating jump shot at the 2:27 mark. ULM closed out the first quarter on a 5-0 run when Manuel put back a layup and Johnson converted her third three-pointer of the quarter. ULM held a 20-11 lead after one-quarter of action.
 
Bradford skipped a pass to Wells on a fast break for a three to give ULM its first double-digit lead of the game with 6:59 remaining in the half. After a steal by Brianna Harris, Bradford lofted a pass over the defense to Johnson for a fast break layup to keep the Warhawks ahead by 10. NSU trimmed ULM's lead to six points with under three minutes remaining. Two consecutive layups from Manuel put the 'Hawks back ahead by 10 points. Bradford recorded a three-point play before the end of the first half and the Warhawks led 40-31 after one half of play.
 
After an NSU free throw, Bradford opened the scoring in the second half for ULM with her second longball of the night. The Demons countered with a 5-0 scoring run and cut the Warhawks' lead to six points. Ayres hit a three-pointer with 6:05 in the third and forced a ULM timeout with the Warhawks leading 45-40. Harris' first three-pointer of the contest ended NSU's scoring run and gave the home team a six-point cushion. After Bradford poked a steal, Harris earned a three-point play and put ULM in front by nine. Two Johnson free throws and a three-pointer by Bradford surged the Warhawks ahead by 11 with 3:17 in the third. ULM led by 10 points after three-quarters of play.
 
ULM opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 scoring run and seized a 17-point lead. Wells broke open the scoring with a layup and Manuel collected her fifth offensive board that led to a bucket. Bradford swished her fourth three-pointer of the night to give the Warhawks a 69-52 edge. ULM held the Demons to just eight points on 22% shooting in the final period of play. Wells and Bradford both netted five points in the last quarter to lead ULM to its eighth-straight victory.
 
The ULM women's basketball team begins a two-game road stretch on Sunday (Dec. 17) at Alabama. The Warhawks and Crimson Tide will play at noon from Tuscaloosa.
 
"We have an opportunity to play quality opponents next week," said Bilderback. "That's what this team needs, and we are excited for the challenge."