JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A combination of bad shooting from the ULM men's basketball team and great shooting from the opposition resulted in a 97-55 loss to East Tennessee State Sunday afternoon.
 
The Warhawks (1-6) only shot 33% from the field, making just 19 of 57 attempts. Meanwhile, the Bucs (5-1) shot a decisive 59%, making 39 of 66 shots.
 
The Bucs started the game with a 6-2 lead with three consecutive baskets in the paint. MJ Russell responded with a shot from beyond the arc to make it a one-point game. With the score at 8-7 in favor of ETSU, it went on a 7-0 scoring run to pull ahead by eight. ULM answered with five points, including another Russell three-pointer, but two straight threes by Jaylen Smith and Maki Johnson gave the Bucs a nine-point lead with 11:32 on the clock.
 
After a driving layup by Micah Caster to make it a six-point game, ETSU turned it on. Helped by five points from Brian Taylor and Gabe Sisk, respectively, the Bucs were able to utilize a 12-2 scoring run to build a 33-17 lead with less than eight minutes to go.
 
ETSU continued its barrage with three free throws and a triple by Milton Matthews to go up by 22. The Warhawks scored ten of the next 13 points, powered by two threes from Krystian Lewis and Renars Sondors. The Bucs outscored ULM 12-6 the rest of the way to lead 54-33 at the half.
 
The Warhawks continued to shoot cold to start the second half, making two of six shots. ETSU took advantage and outscored ULM 10-4 four minutes into the half. With seven unanswered points, the Bucs built their largest lead of the game with a 75-41 score. ULM finally caught fire with ten straight points in three minutes to pass the 50-point mark. It was held to four points the rest of the way, resulting in a 42-point loss.
 
Sondors led the team in scoring with 15 points with three triples on the day, Lavell Brodnex collected five boards, with Lewis had three steals.
 
The Warhawks take a week off before they're back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at home vs. Mississippi Valley State.