ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La – The ULM women's basketball team (1-2, 0-0) fell 61-49 to Central Arkansas (2-1, 0-0 UAC) on Monday evening. Guard Kylee Hunt led the team with 13 points, while forward Nuria Mucongo grabbed nine boards.  

The Warhawks were outshot 42.1% to 26.8% from the field by the Sugar Bears, and made just three from behind the arc, while Central Arkansas had seven.  

Kylee Hunt opened the scoring for both teams, hitting a turnaround jumper to get the Warhawks on the board. The Sugar Bears put up four three-pointers in the opening frame to build their lead, but ULM stayed in the race, led by Nevaeh Scott's five points, while the team shot 42.9% from the field.  

Central Arkansas went on a 9-0 run to open the second quarter, taking a 12-point lead over the Warhawks with about six minutes left in the half. ULM scored only four buckets and converted five free throws in the quarter. The Sugar Bears matched each score, leading by as many as 13 points. ULM managed to cut the deficit to seven heading into the locker room, capitalized by a Kylee Hunt driving layup to close the half. Fourth-year guard Laylah Reese led all players with 12 points at the break, while Scott had a team-high nine for the Warhawks.  

ULM cut the gap to five points twice in the early third quarter, once after a layup by Nuria Mucongo, and again after a step-back jumper from Lea Nadolny. The Sugar Bears responded with another three and a fast-break bucket to rebuild their lead to 10. From there on out, the Warhawks attempted to close the distance, but Central Arkansas remained out of reach. ULM took a 6-0 run over the final two and a half minutes of the quarter, including an Aiyanna Culver three and a pair of free throws, but the Warhawks still trailed by seven.  

ULM went scoreless through the first three and a half minutes of the fourth quarter, a time when Central Arkansas increased the gap to 12. Both teams battled for possession and struggled to get shots to fall, going without a bucket for about four minutes. The Warhawks made only one shot from the field during the frame.The Sugar Bears never conceded the lead once they claimed it, and were lifted to victory by Laylah Reese's double-double, which included a career-high 22 points on the night and 10 rebounds.  

The Warhawks will be back in b1Bank Fant Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 

Coach Fletcher Quotables 

• "I think we're a work in progress. We have a lot of dogs, and we're barking and we're learning how to bite." 

• "We're going to keep getting better. This is a good team. I really believe in this team, and it's an honor to be called their coach. We've got good pieces, we've just got to find out our identity – and we're still searching." 

• "I'm really proud of our girls and the way they fought. They just kept fighting for 40 and fighting for 40, and while that doesn't do anything to the scoreboard, it still gives you a chance.