Photo Credit: Christopher Parker
NICEVILLE, FLA. — Omaha went on a 18-5 scoring spree to close out the game, rallying to post a 63-57 victory past Louisiana Monroe in the Emerald Coast Friday afternoon at Raider Arena on the Northwest Florida State College campus.
There were 12 lead changes and 11 ties in the game.
ULM led 51-45 with 7:44 left but then proceeded to miss seven of its last nine shots, while committing four turnovers to end the game.
Akol Arop came off the bench to lead the Mavericks with 12 points, while guard JJ White scored 11 points – all in the second half.
“We were down 51-45 late, I told the guys we needed three stops in a row and we really buckled up and guarded, “ said Omaha coach Chris Crutchfield. “We were able to make a couple of shots down the stretch and make free throws. I’m just proud of our guys that they were able to fight and not quit, because we are such a young basketball team. We went through some adversity today.”
Omaha will play Southern at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, while ULM faces Loyola Maryland at 10 a.m.
Guard Jamari Blackmon led ULM with 15 points, while guard Tyreke Locure netted 14 points.
Omaha shot 48.8 percent from the floor, making 21 of 43 shots. ULM hit 35.5 percent (22-62).
ULM outrebounded Omaha, 33-31 with Thomas Howell earning a double-double for the Warhawks with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
