Warhawks just short in loss to Troy

The Warhawks are flying high on a two game winning streak, but still looking for their first Sun Belt Conference win. Troy entered the contest looking for their second conference win, having already defeated New Orleans 78-76. Troy (7-6, 2-0) took an early lead, and held off a late ULM (5-9, 0-3) surge to hold on for an 83-82 victory.

Troy came out on fire, as they quickly built an early 22-7 lead on ULM enroute to a 48-35 half time lead. Senior Trojan Brandon Hazzard poured in 20 of his season high 30 points in the opening half, including connecting on six shots from beyond the three-point arch in the contest. The 30 points by Hazzard were the most allowed this season, beating out the prior high of 27 by David Perez of Centenary with 27.

ULM never led in the game, but continued to chip away at the Troy lead in the second half, as they were able to pull within the final one point margin, before Tommie Sykes' last second shot was off the mark. Sykes did pace the Warhawks in the second half though, as he connected on a new season and career high 17 of 20 free throws while also setting a new season and career high with 23 points.

ULM ended the game with four players in double-digit scoring, as Rudy Turner tallied 12 points, Tony Hooper added 15, and Jarvis Hill added another 17 before fouling out late in the game.

ULM continues its home stand as they play host to Arkansas-Little Rock in a 4:30 tip-off on Saturday, January 2 in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.