MONROE, La.–Sannisha Williams scored seven of her team’s first nine points in the second half and then ULM buried four triples over a four minute span to break away from a five-point halftime lead and defeat the UL 82-53 Wednesday evening at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
The Warhawks (13-11, 6-7 Sun Belt) scored four points in a 10-second pan to quickly push their halftime lead to nine points. It began with a Williams layup at 18:20 and was followed by a UL turnover which led to two free throws by Lottie Moore which made it 34-25.
Five seconds later it was Jasmine Barnes on the receiving end of a long outlet pass which led to her making a spin-move layup at 18:05 for the Lady Cajuns to make it 34-27.
ULM continued to dominate the glass on the next possession and it helped the hosts get a putback basket by Williams as she was fouled by Amy Richard. Williams made the freebie and the lead was in double figures for the first time at 37-27.
Williams continued to fuel the ULM offense, scoring a layup at 16:47. On the next ULM possession, the hosts collected a trey from Kassie Courtney to extend the lead to 42-27 with 16:10 remaining.
The Ragin’ Cajuns (3-21, 0-13 Sun Belt) answered back with baskets from Alexis Green and Nicole Morris to slice the deficit to 42-31 with 15:06 on the clock.
Three of the next four ULM field goal makes were three-pointers which triggered an 11-2 run that created a 53-33 lead by the 11:47 mark.
The closest Louisiana could get the rest of the game was 17 points, 55-38, on a three-point play by Green with 9:18 left to play. The largest the ULM lead would get was 32 points at the 2:34 mark when a Portia Tucker three-point make upped the advantage to 77-45.
Pacing Louisiana was the duo of Green and Mercedes Johnson who combined for 37 points. Green led the way with 20.
ULM saw four players reach double figures led by 15 points from Jessie Carrier.
The three-point shot told the story. ULM made 14 triples to only one for Louisiana and as a result the Warhawks outscored the Cajuns 42-3 from three-point range. ULM made 10 triples in the decisive second half.
With the loss, the Cajuns dropped their 11th straight game and remain winless in the 2009 calendar year. UL was also mathematically eliminated from hosting a first round game in the Sun Belt Tournament.
ULM picked up its fourth straight victory in the series and remained perfect against UL at Fant-Ewing Coliseum (now 13-0).
The lead changed twice and the score was tied once in the first two minutes. Louisiana drew even at 4-all on a Barnes jumper out on the left wing.
ULM needed only 15 seconds to reclaim the lead, getting it back with a three on the right wing from Carrier.
UL answered with a Johnson putback on the ensuing possession at 17:30 and it was 7-6. Misfires on back-to-back possession prevented UL from keeping the early pace and ULM rolled off four straight points for an 11-6 edge.
Johnson drew the Cajuns within three points at 13:56 with a layup off an inbounds pass. The Cajuns defense continued to disrupt the Warhawks’ rhythm on offense and as a result ULM remained scoreless since the 16:27 mark as the clock neared the 12-minute mark.
Green pulled Louisiana within one point (11-10) at 11:42 with a deep two point make in the left corner. Valanette Amie gave the Cajuns a one-point edge at 10:52 with a pair of free throws.
A triple by Sumar Leslie came at the 10:41 mark and returned the lead to the hosts for good at 14-12. The Leslie basket ended a six-minute scoring drought for the Warhawks. ULM forced a Cajuns turnover and a layup by Jordan Rawson at 9:42 pushed the lead to 16-12.
A jumper by Green and free throw by D’Mya Clay allowed UL to close the deficit to 16-15. No sooner did that happen, ULM got a triple from Carrier to move the advantage back to four points (19-15).
The Cajuns defense held the Warhawks to no field goals and only five free throws made from 7:52 through 2:01 and as a result Louisiana cut the lead down to two points. Down 24-18, jumpers from Green (3:01) and Johnson (2:20) cut the ULM lead to 24-22.
ULM countered with baskets on back-to-back possessions after Johnson’s baseline jumper to return the lead to six points with 1:31 remaining in the opening half.
The Ragin’ Cajuns return home for a Valentine’s Day matchup against Arkansas State at the CAJUNDOME. Game time is set for 5 p.m., and it is the first half of a doubleheader with the UL-ASU men’s teams.