MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team (6-9, 2-2 Sun Belt) overcame a 13-point deficit in the biggest comeback win this season over Southern Miss (5-10, 1-3 Sun Belt). Meloney Thames and Jakayla Johnson both scored 20+ points in the win, with Thames going 10-10 from the free throw line. The Warhawks are now 4-0 against the Lady Eagles in the Missy Bilderback era, after a 12-year drought in the series. 
 
Thames led the team with 24 points, including two three-pointers, five assists, four steals and three rebounds. The guard also led the team in assists and steals. Johnson came close behind with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds. The senior guard shot four triples to bring the Warhawks back from the brink. To round out the double-digit scorers, Sakyia White posted 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
 
The Lady Eagles opened the scoring 4-0 on the Warhawks, with ULM battling to stay in the first quarter. Five turnovers for ULM put them in a tough spot, allowing Southern Miss to go on a 9-0 run and get the lead into double digits. In the first 10 minutes of the physical contest, shots by Ashja Leake and Thames kept the lead manageable, 13-23, at the end of the first quarter.
 
Southern Miss began to pull away early in the second quarter, extending the lead to 13. The Warhawks were not finished, however, with Thames and Johnson hitting back-to-back three-pointers to close the gap. ULM went on an 8-0 run throughout the quarter, with Sha'Miya Butler ending the half with two stops to get within four, 30-34.
 
Katlyn Manuel opened the scoring for the Warhawks in the second half, leading to a run for White to tie it up early in the third quarter. Johnson dropped another three for the lead, giving the Warhawks their first lead of the game. The Lady Eagles clawed their way back, going toe-to-toe with ULM for the majority of the quarter. A triple from Thames getting the Warhawks up by six in an attempt to extend the lead, but Southern Miss went on a 6-0 run to close the quarter, 52-52.
 
A steal by White gave Cianté Downs the chance to earn back the lead in the final quarter. ULM hit shot after shot, shooting 5-5 in a four-minute span for the lead. Once the Warhawks achieved a double-digit lead, Southern Miss shot 3-3 from the field to make a comeback attempt. The Warhawks were able to maintain their lead in the final minutes, 84-75.
 
The Warhawks remain home for the final game in a four-game homestand, taking on the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday (Jan. 11). Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.