MONROE, La. – ULM basketball dropped its home finale in a high-scoring affair, 102-94, to Arkansas State Saturday afternoon.
 
"Give them credit, they couldn't stop hitting threes," head coach Phil Cunningham said. "But our guys kept hanging in there and kept it close. They're giving it everything they have."
 
The Red Wolves (18-11, 9-7 Sun Belt) made 14 triples in a 42.4% shooting performance. The Warhawks (4-25, 1-15 Sun Belt) shot over 50% from the field and made nine three pointers.
 
Krystian Lewis had his best game of the season, scoring 33 points and collecting nine assists on the day. He also made double-digit field goals and shot 10-10 from the charity stripe.
 
"What a game by Krystian," Cunningham said. "He's a really good player, and he's playing at a high level."
 
The Red Wolves got out to a hot start in the first half, going up 10-2 in the first three minutes. Krystian Lewis put together a three-pointer and a second-chance layup to close the gap to three before a Micah Caster triple tied the game. After both teams traded baskets, MJ Russell scored a layup to give the Warhawks a 14-12 lead with 14:31 on the clock.
 
Two and-ones and a layup by Arkansas State produced a tie game at 17-17. Trailing 19-17, Lewis was fouled at the three-point line, presenting three free throw attempts which he capitalized on to give ULM the lead. The Red Wolves scored the next five points, which included a Tj Caldwell three-pointer to regain control.
 
After a Lewis triple to make it a one-point game, ASU powered a 14-2 scoring run to set the deficit at 13 with 6:48 to play in half one. ULM was able to make it a seven-point game in a run that included a triple from Caster. With a 49-39 score, Caster made his third triple of the half to make the gap seven points again. He ended the half shooting 3-3 from beyond the arc.
 
With 0:37 left on the clock, Lewis drilled his third three-pointer of the half as the Warhawks trailed by five. ASU made a basket near the buzzer to force a 56-49 score at the break.
 
With a 61-50 score in the second half. Renars Sonders produced a three-pointer to start an 11-3 Warhawk run, resulting in a one-possession game with 15:34 left. Both teams traded blows in the next two minutes of play, producing a 70-67 score with the Red Wolves leading. After a ULM free throw, ASU scored the next ten points to pull ahead by 12.
 
A 6-2 run by the home team made the deficit under 10 points with around eight minutes left. A three-pointer by Joey Chammaa produced a 12-point game before six straight Warhawk points put them within two scores. With a five-point game with under two minutes to play. The Red Wolves used six unanswered free throws to pull away and end any rally chances.
 
Lavell Brodnex collected his ninth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The senior also produced a career-high six assists on the day. MJ Russell (16), Sondors (19) and Caster (10) also totaled double-digit points.
 
"He plays with a lot of effort," Cunningham said. "He was tremendous today."
 
The Warhawks start their final road slate of the season with a Wednesday night game in Mobile against South Alabama at 7:30 p.m.