HONOLULU – The ULM women's basketball team (3-3) dropped their third-straight game, 61-68, to the Saint Mary's Gaels (4-2) in the Bank of Hawaii Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday afternoon. The Warhawks dropped both matches in the tournament, falling to Hawaii on Friday.
The Gaels shot 46% from the field, but what put them on top was shooting 48% from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 three-pointers throughout the game to ULM's three. The Warhawks led Saint Mary's in points off turnovers (17), rebounds (33) and points in the paint (40).
Sakyia White led the charge, scoring 16 points and tallying six rebounds and two steals.
Jakayla Johnson followed with 13 points, recording three rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Katlyn Manuel led the team with nine rebounds, also posting six points and three steals on the day.
Nya Valentine led with a career-high nine assists.
The Gaels scored first, but
Nya Valentine kept the Warhawks in it, tallying her first three of the day. Both teams went back and forth as the quarter went on, evenly matched in scoring and defense. The Gaels went on to score six points in the paint to pull away, ending the quarter with a four-point lead, 17-21.
The Warhawks battled back in the second quarter, gaining a four-point lead after
Laila Walker scored back-to-back layups. The Gaels would not lie down and take it, however, as a trio of three-point shots gave Saint Mary's the lead yet again. The contest remained gritty as a final drive by White got the Warhawks within one point, 35-36.
The third quarter opened with the Gaels going on a 8-0 run, extending their lead to start the half. The Warhawks continued to fight from behind,
Cianté Downs picking up three points to up the momentum.
Brikayla Gray also got in on the action, cutting down the lead to one to end the quarter, 52-53.
A scoring run by Saint Mary's and a drought by ULM extended the Gaels' lead to seven late in the fourth quarter. Johnson scored four in an effort to keep the Warhawks in it, but ultimately the Gaels remained on top, ending the gritty battle, 61-68.
The Warhawks will continue on their road trip this season, traveling to Lamar on Dec. 7. Tipoff in Beaumont, Texas is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST.
