Daisha Bradford scored 24 points as the ULM women's basketball team (18-11, 10-7 SBC) beat Arkansas State (13-15, 6-11) 69-60 on the road Tuesday (Feb. 27) night.
The win marked the first time ULM women's basketball won in Jonesboro since 2011. With the win, the Warhawks matched the 2007-08 team's win total of 18 games.
Bradford knocked down five three-point buckets in Tuesday's game. It was the fifth time this season the senior has made five or more three-point buckets.
Four Warhawks scored in double figures as Jakayla Johnson contributed 13 points, Katlyn Manuel had 12 and Brianna Harris scored 11. Sania Wells led ULM with eight rebounds and six assists.
ULM outrebounded the Red Wolves 40-30 and poured in 32 points in the paint. The Warhawks forced 18 turnovers and pumped in 15 points off of A-State turnovers. The Warhawks shot 61.5% from the field in the final quarter and held Arkansas State to 30% shooting in the final 10 minutes.
With the score tied at 14 in the first quarter, Bradford sank a jumper in the paint and Johnson converted two free throws to put ULM ahead by four. After an A-State basket, Harris delivered a triple to pull the Warhawks ahead, 21-16. The Red Wolves tacked on one more bucket before the first quarter ended, and ULM led 21-18. Arkansas State seized control of the lead in the second quarter and led by as many as nine points. Baskets from Manuel and Johnson before the end of the half trimmed Arkansas State's lead to 39-34 at the break.
The Red Wolves increased their lead back to nine points within the first three minutes of the second half. A Johnson three-pointer and layup brought ULM within five points at the 2:56 mark in the third quarter. A Bradford triple and a Johnson layup narrowed the Red Wolves' lead to one point at the end of the third quarter.
ULM evened the score with 6:16 in the fourth quarter when Bradford led Manuel for a layup. After two A-State free throws, Manuel again tied the game with another basket inside. Following a defensive stop, the Warhawks called Manuel's number on the next offensive possession and she put ULM back in the lead with her third-straight made basket. The Red Wolves inched back in front with three-straight points and led 60-59 with 3:12 on the clock.
Wells dropped a pass off to Harris for a basket and the Warhawks led by one point with less than three minutes to go. Bradford nailed a crucial three-pointer with 2:02 to go and ULM pushed the lead to four. After the Red Wolves missed a triple, Wells made a layup with less than a minute left, and ULM led 66-60. The Warhawks held A-State scoreless in the final minute of action, and Bradford added three points to her scoring total to close out the win.
The ULM women's basketball team will finish the regular season in San Marcos, Texas on Friday at Texas State. The regular season finale will begin at 5 p.m. in the Lone Star State.
