MOBILE, Ala. – Tyreese Watson sank two go-ahead buckets in the final three minutes and matched his career-high of 22 points as the ULM men's basketball team (6-17, 2-8 Sun Belt Conference) secured the regular season sweep over South Alabama (14-8, 6-4) with a thrilling 62-58 road win on Thursday (Jan. 30) night at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Ala.
After defeating South Alabama at home on Monday night, the Warhawks captured back-to-back victories over the Jags and completed the season sweep of South Alabama for the first time since 2018. ULM won its second-straight game since last February when ULM won three-straight contests.
Watson was on fire from 3-point range and buried a career-high six 3-point field goals and shot 50% from long distance. The Philadelphia native pulled down six boards and kicked in five assists and two steals in a superb performance.
Coltie Young sank a trio of 3-point baskets and secured seven rebounds, finishing with 17 points.
Makai Willis led the Warhawks with nine rebounds, three coming from the offensive end, and poured in seven points.
Jalen Bolden scored eight and added five rebounds and four assists.
Jerry Ngopot and
AD Diedhiou each had four points to round out the scoring for the Warhawks.
South Alabama's Judah Brown produced 21 points for the Jags off the bench, connecting on four 3-pointers. JJ Wheat was the only other Jaguar to reach double figures with 12. John Broom grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and led South Alabama with three assists.
ULM shot 38.3% from the field on 23-of-60 shooting while the Jags shot 40.4% on 23-of-57. The Warhawks generated 19 points from turnovers and 11 second chance points while holding South Alabama to eight and 10 respectively. The Warhawks controlled the lead for over 36 minutes and led by as many as 13 points.
The Warhawks started the game hot from long distance. Young and Watson knocked down consecutive triples to start the night off right for the Warhawks. Brown connected on a 3-pointer to give the Jags an early 10-9 advantage with over 12 minutes remaining in the opening half. A Willis putback layup put ULM back in front, 11-10.
Watson went on a tear and sank three consecutive 3-point baskets that rocketed ULM's lead to 22-12. A Bolden three-point play extended the Warhawks lead to 11. Following a steal by Willis, Bolden again drew contact and finished a layup that pulled the Warhawks ahead by 13. South Alabama trimmed the ULM lead to five points with less than 30 seconds left. Watson answered the Jags' rally with a 3-pointer before the final horn of the first half and ULM took an eight-point cushion into the locker room.
Young connected on two 3-pointers early in the second half and brought ULM's lead back to 13 points. With the Warhawks leading 49-39 during the middle stages of the second half, South Alabama began to cut into the Warhawks' lead. The Jags managed to close the gap to two points when Wheat scored on a fastbreak layup with 7:30 left. After the two teams exchanged baskets, Brown nailed a triple to give South Alabama its first lead since the early stages of the first half. Watson slipped a pass to Ngopot for a layup that made the score 53-52 Warhawks with less than five minutes on the clock.
The Warhawks called on Watson in the final minutes to seal the victory. Watson swished a pullup jumper and padded the ULM lead to three points inside three minutes left. Brown drained a 3-pointer and tied the game, 55-55. Watson responded with a clutch 3-point basket to keep the Warhawks in front. Brown converted a three-point play and leveled the score once more. After a timeout, Watson again had the answer for ULM, as he made a step back jumper with less than 90 seconds to go. The ULM defense forced two steals after Watson and Bolden came up with turnovers in the final minute to hold the Jags scoreless. Young was fouled after Bolden's steal with five seconds remaining and calmly sank both free throws to secure ULM's sweep over South Alabma.
The Warhawks' road swing in Alabama continues Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon at Troy with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m.
