ULM falls 73-72

First year Head Coach Keith Richard entered the Sunday afternoon contest against the FIU Panthers looking for his first career win in the Sun Belt Conference. ULM lead for 38 and a half minutes, but saw their one time 15 point lead evaporate in 73-72 loss.

"I ask our team every time to play really hard and to give themselves a chance to win," Richard said. "They did play hard and give themselves a chance to win, but just didn't get it done. It just goes back to what I've said before that D-I basketball games are hard to win."

The Warhawks (4-11, 0-2) opened up the game with a strong 13-3 run lead by Fred Brown's 11 first half points. FIU (6-7, 1-0) was not out of the contest though, as they stormed back with the help of Alex Legion's 10 points cutting the ULM lead to just three points with 5:38 in the opening half. Freshman Stephen McClellan would then come alive, pouring in eight points to help rebuild the ULM lead to a comfortable 37-28 halftime advantage.

FIU continued to struggle in the second half, falling behind by as many as 15 points before the offense caught fire. Leading the second half Panther charge was freshman Dominique Ferguson. Ferguson connected on a trio of three pointers during a run that saw FIU score on their last 11 possessions.

"I thought both teams played well, and the biggest lift came from Ferguson," FIU Head Coach Isaiah Thomas said. "His three three point shots in the second half gave us energy."

ULM continues their home stand, as they host NAIA school Union College of Kentucky. Tip-off from Fant-Ewing Coliseum is scheduled for 7pm.