MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team (6-10, 2-3 Sun Belt) fell to the Arkansas State Red Wolves (8-7, 4-1 Sun Belt) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11), in a close game at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The Warhawks led by as much as 10 in the game, but turnovers began to add up, allowing the Red Wolves to find the victory in the final minutes.
 
Jakayla Johnson led the team with 22 points, her second consecutive game scoring 20+ points. The senior guard also racked up six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sakyia White scored a career-high 19 points, also tallying 14 rebounds, two steals and an assist. This is White's second double-double of the season and the team's fifth. 
 
Johnson opened the scoring for the Warhawks with a three-pointer, getting ULM on an early 5-0 run. Brikayla Gray recorded two steals, scoring off both turnovers to keep the Warhawks in front. Arkansas State went on a 12-2 run off four Warhawk turnovers to come back from behind, pulling out the lead in the final minutes of the quarter, 20-18.
 
The second quarter was a battle for both teams, as both went through five-minute droughts from the field. Arkansas State dropped two three-pointers to remain in the contest, but shot 15.8% from the field in the second quarter. The Red Wolves dropped their seventh triple to break the drought, with Johnson returning the favor with a three of her own for ULM. Free throws helped the Warhawks through the drought, putting them ahead 38-33 at the half.
 
White opened the scoring in the second half with two three-point plays in the paint, extending ULM's lead. A steal and score for Johnson kept the Warhawks in action, even as Arkansas State continued to fight, especially beyond the arc. A scoring drought toward the end of the third quarter opened the door for the Red Wolves, cutting the lead from 10 down to three at the end of the quarter, 52-55.
 
The final 10 minutes was a gritty fight for both teams, as they remained one possession away from the win. The Red Wolves began to gain momentum, getting within one. Nya Valentine hit a jumper and White drew another three-point play late in the quarter to keep the Warhawks at bay, but another triple from Arkansas State got the Red Wolves on an 8-0 run to end the contest and seal the win, 75-70.

The Warhawks remain hit the road for the first time in the new year to take on Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss. Tip-off on Thursday (Jan. 16) is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.