MONROE, La. – The ULM women's basketball team (7-9, 2-5 Sun Belt) pushed one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference in Troy (14-3, 5-1 Sun Belt) to their limit Wednesday night but narrowly lost 86-80. The Trojans shot 51 percent from the field and managed to turn 21 Warhawk turnovers into 21 points.
 
Nakiyah Mays-Prince established a new career high of 23 points to lead ULM in scoring while also tying her career high of six steals. J'Mani Ingram recorded her second-best offensive output of the season with 18 points while also grabbing a season high eight rebounds. Asjah Inniss (13) and Jazmine Jackson (11) each scored in double figures while Marcavia Shavers posted her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Warhawks turned defense into offense early in the first quarter when a three-pointer from Inniss and a basket by Shavers each came off of a turnover. The Trojans battled back to take the lead but an additional three from Inniss put ULM back in front. After a slight lull offensively by both teams, the Warhawks utilized a 6-0 points off turnovers run to push the lead to eight before settling for a six-point lead to close out the quarter.
 
Troy would respond to begin the second quarter as they rode a 9-3 start to tie the game at 21. From that point, both offenses would spring to life as a series of made baskets from both teams caused the lead to change 10 times in the second quarter alone. A three-pointer from Mays-Prince off an offensive rebound kick-started a 7-0 run by ULM which gave them a four-point lead at halftime.
 
Despite getting a basket from Keshunti Nichols at the start, the Warhawks saw their third quarter woes continue as the Trojans put together a 7-0 run to take the lead. The duo of Mays-Prince and Ingram helped the keep the Warhawks afloat but Troy would string together another 7-0 run to put themselves up six. An acrobatic three-point play by Ingram under the basket would become the highlight of a nine-point quarter by ULM's top scorer which helped keep the home side within one possession going into the fourth quarter.
 
ULM found themselves on the doorstep of retaking the lead in the fourth quarter after another long-range effort from Inniss got them within one but the Trojans quickly went on another 6-0 run to give them some breathing room. A Mays-Prince three-point play once again got the Warhawks within one possession but the visitors held their nerve both defensively and at the free throw line to secure the win.
 
ULM will prepare next for their second meeting in 10 days with the Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday. Tipoff at Fant-Ewing Coliseum is scheduled for noon CT.